2 women fined for assaulting neighbour

SEREMBAN - Two women were fined RM1,500 (S$575) each by the magistrate's court here yesterday for assaulting their neighbour over comments made on social-networking site Facebook.

Magistrate Mohamad Izwan Mohamed Noh sentenced Maziah Samion, 31, and Melor Abu Bakar, 51, after they pleaded guilty to jointly causing hurt to Saridah Sohib, 39, at a house in Jalan 19, Taman Mulia, Mantin, near here, at 10pm, on Feb 21.

Before sentencing, Izwan said the accused should be ashamed of what they had committed and should not have got too emotionally upset.

"It is shameful as the accused's children are grown-ups.

"Since the matter could not be settled amicably, the 'penghulu' (village chief) should have been consulted.

"You should have found other ways to settle the matter.

"If you follow your 'nafsu' (desire), this is the consequence."

Deputy public prosecutor Nabilah Mohammad Zanudin prosecuted while the accused were unrepresented.

According to the facts of the case, both accused had gone to Saridah's house and got into an argument for being dissatisfied with their neighbour's comments on Facebook.

Saridah said the comments were made because of the accused's attitude of badmouthing her and her family members to other neighbours.

The accused then hit Saridah, pulled her hair and slapped her on her cheeks until her mouth bled.

Maziah also bit Saridah's hand before the former's husband intervened and stopped the fight.