A ship officer’s sentence for assaulting a cadet was enhanced to one month’s jail and a fine, as the judge condemned bullying in superior-subordinate relationships.
BINTULU: The High Court here today enhanced a ship officer’s sentence to one month’s imprisonment and a fine for causing injury to a maritime cadet.
Judge Amelati Parnell imposed the sentence on Abraham Tobing, 33, after allowing the prosecution’s appeal to increase the penalty handed down by a Magistrate’s Court.
The prosecution had argued the original sentence was manifestly inadequate and did not reflect the seriousness of the offences.
Abraham had pleaded guilty to two charges of voluntarily causing hurt to cadet M.P. Suhash during a training voyage in 2022.
Justice Amelati sentenced him to one month’s jail and a RM2,000 fine for each charge, with the jail terms to run concurrently.
She set aside the Magistrate’s Court ruling from April 9, 2025, which had sentenced Abraham to a RM2,000 fine for each charge only.
In her judgment, Justice Amelati observed that bullying culture has become increasingly prevalent.
She stressed the court does not condone bullying or physical abuse, particularly in superior-subordinate relationships.
“Serious misconduct must be met with proportionate and deterrent punishment to protect public confidence in the administration of justice,” she said.
Case facts stated that on December 5, 2022, Abraham punched the victim on the chest and shoulder.
The assaults continued between December 6 and 15, 2022, while the vessel was at sea.
Abraham slammed the victim onto a table and slapped the back of his neck during this period.
Investigations revealed the assaults stemmed from Abraham’s dissatisfaction with the cadet’s training performance.
A medical officer confirmed the victim sustained injuries to his shoulder, chest and right hand.
Abraham was represented by counsel Hasnah Saini.
Deputy public prosecutor Nur Asfa Jannah Mohamad Ariff Irwani acted for the prosecution.
