A Malaysian man who wanted to become a police officer just like his father ended up behind bars instead after he submitted forged paperwork in his application to the force, a report said.

Azamazewan Zakaria, 26, gave police recruiters a fake certificate that indicated he had got a school credit in the Malay language, the Star newspaper said.

The would-be cop got a two-month sentence and a RM2,000 (US$530) fine, but his father - a police officer himself - paid the fine and hauled his son out of jail after one day.

Immature

In appealing for a lighter sentence, his counsel Kuldeep Kumar said Azamazewan committed the offence because he was immature and did not think of the consequences.

"He made the wrong move in chasing his dream," the lawyer said.