Man fined RM3,000 for molesting friend’s daughter

KUCHING: A man was fined RM3,000, in default six months’ imprisonment, by the Magistrates’ Court on today (June 28) for molesting his friend’s daughter on Tuesday (June 25).

The 41-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which was read before Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi.

According to the charge, he was accused of molesting the 20-year-old girl in a room at a village in Jalan Setia Raja around 4.30am, Tuesday.

If found guilty, he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison or fined, or caned, or any combination thereof.

Based on the case facts, during the incident, the complainant was sleeping with her younger sister in a room when she felt someone rubbing her thigh.

When the complainant opened her eyes, she was shocked to see her father’s friend standing in front of her.

The defendant, standing in front of the complainant, then said, “Don’t be alarmed, I just want to sell you a Samsung phone,” and then left the complainant’s bedroom.

The complainant and her family know the defendant as he is a friend of her father and uncle, who often came to their house to hang out and drink together.

On the day of the incident, the complainant’s father was not at home as he has been working in Bintulu since May.

Fearing for her safety, the complainant went to the police station to file a report for further action.

Investigations revealed that the defendant had committed a criminal offence with the intention to outrage the complainant’s modesty.

Additionally, the defendant was found to be positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

The case was prosecuted by prosecuting officer Inspector Nur Shafiqa Nyaie Ilin while the defendant was not represented by a lawyer.