Johor Bahru man disputes slapping charge during Ramadan

A 65-year-old man in Johor Bahru is facing legal proceedings for allegedly slapping a non-Muslim who was eating in public during Ramadan. This incident happened at a convenience store in a shopping mall and has received significant media attention. On March 19, Abdul Razak Ismail initially pleaded guilty to causing harm to 21-year-old Elijah Ling Zhao Zhong. However, he disputed the details of the case, claiming he did not hit hard enough to leave a bruise as suggested by medical reports. The Magistrate Court rejected his guilty plea and decided the case would go to trial. The prosecution then requested to discharge Abdul Razak temporarily, a move called a "discharge not amounting to acquittal" (DNAA). This means that while he is currently free from charges, prosecutors can refile them later if needed. This decision sparked questions from a local MP who urged the Attorney General's office to clarify the situation, given the public interest in the case. Later that day, Abdul Razak was re-charged and this time pleaded not guilty. The Attorney General's office explained that the initial charge had a technical issue, which prompted the discharge. The next hearing is scheduled for April 29. If found guilty, Abdul Razak could face a two-year prison sentence or a fine, or both.