By Khushwant Singh

A CLEANER, who fell asleep on a bus and missed his stop, demanded that the bus head back.

When bus captain Tommy Yong Kah Huat said he could not do this, Muhammad Ilias Syed Ibrahim, 23, punched him twice in the face.

In a district court on Friday, Muhammad Ilias pleaded guilty to fracturing Mr Yong's nose last December.

He was sentenced to nine months in jail and three strokes of the cane. The maximum punishment is seven years' jail and 24 strokes or a fine.

Looking sheepish, Muhammad Ilias admitted to boarding bus service No. 58 near the White Water condominium in Paris Ris at about 3.30pm to go to Kaki Bukit Road on Dec 29.

During the journey, he dozed off and woke up only as the bus was passing Upper Paya Lebar Road.

He started shouting vulgarities at Mr Yong because he was about 2km pass his destination and demanded to alight immediately.

Mr Yong pulled up at the next bus stop but by Muhammad Ilias kept insisting that the bus head back to Kaki Bukit Road.

When told that this was not possible, he attacked Mr Yong.

The bus captain, who was in contact with the SBS control room, was advised to let the other passengers alight.

Muhammad Ilias stayed on the bus and police officers found him 'reeking of alcohol' when he was arrested.

An ambulance took Mr Yong to Changi General Hospital, where he was given three days' medical leave.