Latest news with #AzmanSyahAlias
Free Malaysia Today
19-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
High Court halves celebrity preacher's jail term to 12 years
The sessions court previously sentenced Azman Syah Alias to 12 years in jail and one stroke of the rotan for each charge, with the prison sentences to run consecutively. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Shah Alam High Court has reduced former celebrity preacher Azman Syah Alias's jail term from 24 years to 12, after allowing his appeal for the sentences to be served concurrently. Justice Shamsulbahri Ibrahim delivered the ruling after reviewing written and oral submissions from both the defence and prosecution. However, he upheld the sentence of two strokes of the rotan, Kosmo reported. 'For the two counts of physical sexual assault, since they involved the same witnesses and are part of the same case, I find it appropriate for the sentences to run concurrently,' he was quoted as saying. Defence counsel Fahmi Adilah argued that both charges stemmed from the same case and involved the same victim and witnesses. He said the sessions court had erred by not considering Section 102 of the Subordinate Courts Act, which limits the total sentence to 20 years. He said the High Court's intervention was justified, as there was no delay in the trial, and it was conducted under a single case number. Deputy public prosecutor Tengku Najiha Zahari however maintained that the sessions court's original decision was fair and not excessive. She said there was no continuity of action in the case and although the two charges were heard together and the same witnesses called, it did not justify the concurrent sentencing. She had urged the court to consider public interest, saying Azman's position as a preacher and the age of the victim warranted a firm sentence. The sessions court previously sentenced Azman, 44, to 12 years in jail and one stroke of the rotan for each charge. The court also ordered the prison sentences to run consecutively. Azman was accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy at a homestay in Kampung Sungai Udang on Feb 20 and June 29, 2022. The charge was framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a caning.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- The Sun
Former celebrity preacher's prison sentence reduced to 12 years upon appeal
PETALING JAYA: The Shah Alam High Court has reduced former celebrity preacher Azman Syah Alias's jail term from 24 to 12 years after ruling that his sentences should be served concurrently rather than consecutively, Kosmo reports. High Court Judge Shamsulbahri Ibrahim delivered this decision after considering written and oral arguments from both defense and prosecution teams. The court maintained the punishment of two strokes of the rotan. 'Since the two counts of physical sexual assault involved identical witnesses and are components of the same case, I find it appropriate for the sentences to run concurrently,' Shamsulbahri was quoted as saying. Defense counsel Fahmi Adilah argued that both charges originated from the same case with the same victim and witnesses. He claimed the sessions court had failed to consider Section 102 of the Subordinate Courts Act, which places a 20-year cap on total sentencing. Fahmi contended that High Court intervention was warranted as the trial proceeded without delays under a single case number. Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutor Tengku Najiha Zahari countered that the sessions court's original ruling was reasonable and not excessive. She maintained there was no continuity of action in the case, and although the trial consolidated witnesses, this didn't justify concurrent sentencing. She urged the court to prioritize public interest, noting that Azman's position as a religious figure and the victim's young age called for strict punishment. Previously, the sessions court had sentenced 44-year-old Azman to 12 years imprisonment and one stroke of the rotan for each offense, with prison terms to be served consecutively. Azman popularly known as PU Azman faced charges of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy at a homestay in Kampung Sungai Udang, Klang on February 20 and June 29, 2022. The charges were brought under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for imprisonment up to 20 years and caning upon conviction.
