KOTA KINABALU: A man was sentenced to five years' jail for carrying a machete in a public place.
Avckson Jiun @ Justin, 36, was also ordered to be given one stroke of the rotan.
Sessions Court judge Ummu Kalthom Abdul Samad meted out the sentence after Avckson pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive, Explosive and Dangerous Weapons Act.
The charge provides for up to five years' jail and up to 10 strokes of whipping upon conviction.
Avckson was caught for unlawful possession of the 17-inch long machete on Aug 11 at 2am in Jalan Kampung Suang Parai, near here.
According to the facts of the case, Avckson, who was riding a motorcycle at the time, was trying to escape from the police's spot check.
Police nabbed him and the machete was found inside his sling bag.
During inspection, Avckson failed to explain why he was carrying the machete.
Avckson, who works as a lorry driver, was unrepresented. Deputy public prosecutor Mohammad Fauzi Acho prosecuted.