Judge Azrul Darus sentenced printing company driver Kong Kwek Liang, 40, after he pleaded guilty to abusing his son.

The court also ordered Kong to serve six months in jail if he failed to pay the fine. Kong paid the fine.

Kong, who is responsible for the welfare of Sky Kong Zheng Wei, 13, committed the offence on the teenager in the living room of his rented house at Jalan Bunga Cempaka 2, Taman Muda, here between 10am and noon on May 14.

He was charged under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term of up to 20 years or both.

Before sentencing, Kong, who was not represented, told the court that he hit his son because the boy had refused to listen to him and often stole his money.

“He is always lying, stealing money and causing mischief,” said Kong when questioned by Azrul why he had hit his son.

According to the facts of the case, the victim told his teacher that his father had beaten him with a cane and the teacher then made a police report.

The results of a hospital medical report revealed that the victim suffered bruises, cuts and scratches on several parts of his body, including his shoulders, hands, arms, legs and buttocks.

Deputy public prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence, taking into account the victim is the accused’s biological child and he had no right to teach his son a lesson in an abusive manner.