According to court sources, policemen and court officials present were taken by surprise over the sudden attack on registrar Hanis Aliah Ahmad Kamarulnajuib who was sitting in as magistrate because of the weekend holiday in Johor.

“A commotion ensued but the police personnel managed to subdue the 30-year-old suspect and freed the registrar within a few minutes,” one source said.

The source said the registrar was unhurt but was in a state of shock after the unexpected attack.

“However, she did not adjourn any other remand hearings but continued hearing other applications as there were many cases.” She heard a total of 53 remand cases today.

In a statement issued this evening, South Johor police chief Lim Jit Huey said the incident happened at 11.20am when the remand hearing was in progress.

“The police personnel managed to bring the situation under control. The registrar was not hurt. We are investigating the case under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a civil servant from carrying out her duty.

“The maximum sentence is a jail term of two years or a fine of RM10,000,” he said.