A 29-year-old man, Mohamat Kahilur Ahnizam Matjidi, was sentenced to a total of 16 years in jail and three strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court after pleading guilty to two counts of physical sexual harassment against a minor.
The victim was a 15-year-old female student whom Matjidi claimed was his "cewek" (girlfriend). Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus passed the sentence on Friday.
Matjidi was sentenced to seven years in jail and one stroke of the cane for the first count, which involved kissing and performing an oral act on the girl’s right breast.
He received nine years' jail and two strokes of the cane for the second count, involving kissing and performing oral acts on the girl’s left breast and private part. These offences occurred on June 28 this year in Mesapol, Sipitang.
The total sentence of 16 years, ordered to run from the date of his arrest, was imposed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (SOACA) 2017.
Although Matjidi asked for leniency, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Shaferrah Mad Iskim had urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence due to the seriousness of the crime against an underaged girl.
