KUALA LUMPUR - A 23-year-old clothing store sales promoter was sentenced to 12 years' jail by the Sessions Court yesterday for the attempted murder of Kepong Umno Youth chief Datuk Norizan Ali.
Sessions Court judge Manira Mohd Nor, in sentencing Mohd Haswan Hashim, said the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt.
She ordered Haswan's sentence to begin yesterday and denied a request for a stay of execution pending appeal.
Haswan had been jointly charged with Mohd Azril Ab Shukor, 29, who had earlier pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years' jail.
They were charged with attempted murder under Section 307 of the Penal Code by attacking Norizan with parang in Jalan Cahaya 2 in Ampang at 2.30am on Sept 24, last year.
In his impact statement, Norizan said he was affected both physically and mentally by the attempt on his life. "My daily routine is not normal anymore."
He said his reputation as a political figure, father and businessman was also affected.
Fifteen witnesses testified for the prosecution and three testified for the defence.
Deputy public prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie sought a deterrent sentence due to the impact of the attack on the victim.
Haswan, who was represented by Muhammad Zarif, pleaded for a lenient sentence as he was responsible for his parents.
It was reported that Norizan's fingers were almost severed and his intestines spilled out in the attack.
At the time of the incident, he had parked his car about 20m from his house in Taman Dagang and was attacked as he was alighting from the car.
Norizan's wife and three children were awakened by his screams and a neighbour alerted the police.
Norizan was rushed to Ampang Hospital where he underwent surgery.