Kota Kinabalu: A Sabah politician was on Monday jailed a total of 43 months and fined RM14,000 after he was found guilty on all four charges of molesting a 2021 State Unduk Ngadau contestant.
Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin meted out the sentence to Phillip Among, 53, who was also the technical head for the 2021 Unduk Ngadau competition, after ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt against him.
Philip was a Parliamentary Coordinator of Sabah Star Putatan Division, but was suspended from the position after two police reports were lodged against him for sexual assault.
On the first, second and fourth counts, Phillip was jailed nine months and fined RM3,000 or eight months’ jail for each charge.
On the third count, he was jailed 16 months and fined RM5,000 in default eight months’ jail.
The court ordered Phillip to serve all the jail sentences concurrently from the date of his conviction on Monday.
However, his application to stay execution of the sentences was granted pending appeal against the decision to the High Court.
Phillip had molested the Unduk Ngadau contestant on May 19, 2021 at 2pm, 3.30pm, 9.45pm and 10pm, respectively.
All the incidents took place at a staircase next to Ever Best Photo in Asia City, in Studio Darvel Bay Borneo Holidays Sdn Bhd, in a moving vehicle while on the way from a dinner place to an old office in the city and in an office in Metro Town, here, respectively.
He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to 10 years, or with fine or with whipping, or with any two of such punishments, on conviction.
Phillip, had on June 10, 2021, claimed trial to the charges and his trial started on April 12, 2022.
He was ordered to enter defence on Dec 12, 2024 after the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Phillip.
The prosecution called eight witnesses during the hearing and two defence witnesses testified.
On Dec 19, 2025, Phillip was sentenced to eight months’ jail and fined RM5,000 or spend four months’ jail on another charge of molesting a teenager.
Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus meted out the sentence to Phillip Among, after ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt against Philip.
Phillip was found guilty of committing the offence against the 18-year-old girl at 11pm on April 17, 2021 in the living room of Jesselton Capsule Inn in Asia City.
