KUALA LUMPUR: A Rohingya man, who lost his will to live and attempted to set himself ablaze in a show of protest over the killings of members of his community in Myanmar, has been sentenced to three months’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court here for attempted suicide.
“I want to set myself on fire. There’s no meaning to life anymore,” the man screamed while pouring a container of petrol onto himself.
Magistrate Ahmad Solihin Abd Wahid handed down the sentence on Ali Juhar Jamal Hussin,19, today after the suspect pleaded guilty to the charge.
Ali Juhar was also sentenced to another three months’ jail for entering Malaysia without valid travel documents. Both jail sentences are to be served concurrently from the date of his arrest on Aug 30 this year.
“I am sad. I am alone in this world. My family members are all dead, either bombed or killed by the (Myanmar) soldiers,” he said when Ahmad Solihin asked him why he acted in such a manner.
Ali Juhar was charged with committing both offences a short distance from the Myanmar Embassy near the Ampang Park LRT station, Jalan Ampang, Dang Wangi here at 11.30am on Aug 30.
The charge for attempted suicide, under Section 309 of the Penal Code, provides for imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Noorelynna Hanim Abd Halim prosecuted.
According to the facts of the case, police had seen a group of Rohingya men staging a protest while holding a banner that said: “Stop Killing Rohingya From Arakan”. Soon after they spotted a man dousing himself with petrol.