Judicial commissioner Yusrin Faidz Yusoff granted Zaidi Taib’s appeal to slash the custodial sentence imposed by the sessions court in 2024, saying that the original sentence was manifestly excessive.

He also ordered Zaidi to pay RM25,000 in compensation to the victim’s family.

Zaidi was convicted under Section 326A of the Penal Code for assaulting his nephew, Khairuddin Rani, on Feb 2, 2023, outside a house in Kampung Durian Mas Manir.

In his defence, Zaidi claimed Khairuddin had falsely accused him of unlawfully transferring property belonging to his mother to his own name during a family dispute over land.

In allowing a reduction in sentence, Yusrin said Zaidi was a first-time offender and that such offenders were “generally entitled to some leniency, particularly where there are prospects of rehabilitation”.

He noted that the case stemmed from a family conflict rather than unprovoked violence.

“There were developments after the accused was found guilty by the sessions court. The nephew died and his widow wanted to settle the case amicably.

“The accused is willing to pay RM25,000 in compensation to them as a gesture of remorse and reconciliation,” Yusrin said.

He added that the offer of compensation demonstrated genuine remorse and an effort to repair harm within a family context.

“It is significant in the context of a family dispute, where the restoration of relationships and the healing of ‘wounds’ are important objectives that may be advanced by voluntary reparation,” he said.