Pahang youth who used fake gun to scare man among 26 doing community service

New Straits Times

27-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Aidil (not his real name) admits he lost his temper when he brandished a replica gun during an argument with a man whom he said had been very rude to his mother.
"I only wanted to scare him into thinking I would shoot him after he used very course language and was very rude to my mum.
"I didn't actually want to shoot him," said the 20-year-old, who was sentenced to 240 hours community service for the incident last year.
Aidil is one 26 people serving their community service orders today at the 2025 Beret Community Service Order Programme at the Civil Defence Force's (APM) Pahang headquarters.
He said he was working as a security guard in Bentong at the time of the incident, and did not expect the brash decision would land him in trouble.
"The pistol could fire only metal pellets. I bought it for RM300. I had no intention of hurting the man. I only wanted to scare him, nothing more.
"I did not expect to be arrested by police just hours after the incident, charged in court and eventually sentenced to 240 hours of community service," he said.
Aidil was charged with possession of a replica firearm and making criminal threats. He must complete his community service within two years under the supervision of the Pahang Social Welfare Department.
Pahang Social Welfare Department director Khairul Amri Ahmad said there were 52 people in the state, including children, youths and adults, who are under community service orders.
He said today's programme was designed to build inner strength, discipline and resilience, as well as helping them to develop physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally in facing life's challenges.
Khairul Amr added that those involved had committed various offences, including theft, sexual offences, traffic violations, rape, drug offences, threats, abuse and illegal street racing.
Aidil's lapse in judgment in dealing with life's challenges is not unique, even among among older and supposedly more mature people.
Forty-year-old Aida (not her real name) said that the extreme stress of living in Kuala Lumpur drove her to abuse her 18-month-old niece, which left bruises on the child's back.
"The hardship of living in a cramped room made it difficult for me to control myself, and I ended up hitting the child.
"At the time, I was also caring for my four children, aged 1 to 14.
"I never imagined that when the child was taken to the hospital for seizures, the doctor would discover bruises on her back, which led to a police case.
"The damage was done, and I was sentenced to 240 hours of community service," said Aida, who now lives in Cameron Highlands.
For Salmah, 19, from Temerloh, she became involved in a mule account syndicate last year, which resulted in legal consequences when police traced a deposit of RM2,000 made by an individual into her bank account.
"My advice to young people is to be extra cautious when sharing bank account details to prevent misuse by scam syndicates.