KOTA KINABALU: A 53-year-old politician was sentenced to a total of 43 months’ jail and fined RM14,000 on Monday after being found guilty of four charges of molesting a 2021 State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan contestant.
Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt against Phillip Among, who was also a technical head for the 2021 State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan competition.
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Phillip, a Parliamentary Coordinator for Putatan Star and currently suspended, was jailed nine months and fined RM3,000 for each of the first, second and fourth charges, and 16 months with a RM5,000 fine for the third charge.
The court ordered all the jail sentences to run concurrently, with default jail terms imposed if the fines are not paid.
The offences occurred on May 19, 2021 at different times and locations, including a staircase in Asia City, a studio office, a vehicle while travelling from a dinner venue, and an office in Metro Town.
Phillip was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or whipping, or any combination of the punishments.
Previously, Phillip had been sentenced in December 2025 to eight months’ jail and fined RM5,000 for molesting an 18-year-old girl, although the court allowed a stay of execution pending his appeal to the High Court.
