THE call of nature can strike when we least suspect it, and it can have rather unfortunate consequences – especially if it leads to someone being arrested and hauled before a judge.
Recently, a video of a man urinating in a public place went viral. It is claimed that the video was recorded at a shopping complex's parking lot in Selangor and that the person in it is Australian.
Is there any truth to this?
VERDICT:
TRUE
This is in fact true, as Australian Chih Peter pleaded guilty after the charge was read out to him in English before Magistrate Sasha Diana Sabtu on Wednesday (Nov 22).
Bernama reported that the 32-year-old electrician was fined RM100 for urinating at the basement car park of a shopping mall in Subang Jaya near here last week.
Peter had arrived from Australia on Nov 13 to visit a friend.
He was charged under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 with committing the offence at 10.51pm on Nov 16.
A video clip of him committing the act went viral on social media.
His lawyer R. Morhaneraj told the court that Peter was compelled to urinate in the parking area as he could not wait to use the restroom at that time.
"However, my client was unaware that the incident was recorded. Nevertheless, he has learned a lesson and will not repeat such an act,” he said.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Annur Athirah Amran requested the court to impose the maximum penalty, saying the accused should maintain decorum while in a foreign country.
Sasha Diana imposed the maximum penalty of RM100 in default one day’s jail.
Peter paid the fine.
