BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, SEPT 17 — A 51-year-old local man was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of damaging property at the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque (PSBSOAS), Kampung Katimahar.
Wahid bin Mazid is accused of damaging several parts of the mosque including doors and glass windows after failing to get financial assistance when visiting the mosque on the night of September 8.
According to the Prosecuting Officer, Awang Mohammad Syafie Habibuallah bin Edi Mirhan, the accused had brought a machete when he arrived at the mosque.
Frustration as a result of not finding anyone who could help him caused the accused to break two glass doors sliding which leads to the prayer room, a glass door of a mini library and several windows sliding.
The incident was reported by mosque staff early the next morning, and CCTV footage confirmed the accused as the perpetrator. During the investigation, the accused admitted his actions and stated that his actions were motivated by anger and stress due to financial problems. Total damage was estimated at $403.
Magistrate Syarifah Nur Baqiyah binti Malai Shahran sentenced the accused who is also unemployed and has a record of previous property offenses to 10 months in prison.
The police also seized the machete used by the accused in the incident.
