Latest news with #SexualOffencesAgainstChildrenAct
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Indonesian man arrested for sexually harassing lover's teenage daughter
KLANG: Police have arrested an Indonesian man for allegedly sexually harassing the teenage daughter of his lover. South Klang police chief Assistant Commissioner Ramli Kasa confirmed the case, adding that the 42-year-old man was arrested on May 30. "We have remanded the suspect to facilitate further investigations under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act for physical sexual assault on a child. "Those convicted could face imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years and shall also be liable to whipping," he said when contacted today. The couple are believed to have engaged in sexual intercourse in front of the 17-year-old girl. According to a report by a Chinese language news portal, the girl's mother had also sent sexually explicit videos to her daughter, intending to incite her to satisfy her lover's perverse desires. The China Press reported that in April, the girl was awakened in the middle of the night on several occasions by her mother. The woman allegedly allowed her boyfriend to enter her daughter's room and grope her while she was in bed. After enduring the sexual harassment for over two months, the girl finally sought help from the Ketam Island Village Management Committee to lodge a police report. The girl also provided a written record of the harassment she suffered from her mother and boyfriend to the police, requesting a thorough investigation. When asked about the allegations made against the girl's mother, Ramli said they would investigate all the testimony given to facilitate prosecution. "There are certain details that cannot be divulged at this juncture as it could disturb the process of investigation and prosecution," he said.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Military man charged with raping, sexually assaulting 13-year-old
MELAKA: A military sergeant was charged at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court today with five offences, including rape and sexual assault involving a 13-year-old girl earlier this month. The 32-year-old father of one pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read out before Judge Haderiah Siri. Deputy public prosecutor Wardah Ishhar and lawyer SS Amritpal Singh represented the prosecution and defence, respectively. According to the first three charges, the sergeant is accused of raping a girl aged 12 years and six months and committing two counts of physical sexual assault against the same victim. The rape charge was filed under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 20 years' jail and whipping upon conviction. The sexual assault charges were framed under Sections 14(a) and 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (SOACA) 2017, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail and whipping. For the fourth charge, he is accused of sexually grooming the child by communicating with her over the phone, an offence under Section 12 of SOACA 2017, which carries a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment and whipping. "He was also charged under Section 13 of the same Act for meeting the victim after grooming her, by picking her up from her hostel and taking her out in a car. If convicted, the charge provides for a jail term of up to 10 years and whipping. All the offences were allegedly committed inside a Perodua Viva at the car park of a supermarket in Cheng, near here, around 1pm on May 4. The prosecution proposed bail at RM90,000 for all charges combined, with additional conditions that the accused report to the police once a month and refrain from contacting the victim, her family, or prosecution witnesses. The defence appealed for a lower bail amount, arguing that the accused had served in the military for 10 years, posed no flight risk, and was the sole breadwinner of his family. The court allowed bail at RM25,000 for all charges combined, with the additional conditions as requested by the prosecution. The case has been set for mention on June 26 for document submission.
Borneo Post
10-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Legal tweaks needed before Child Development Dept can fully stand alone, says Nancy
Nancy undergoes blood pressure checkup during the Santubong Parliamentary Women Empowerment Programme today. – Bernama photo KUCHING (May 10): The establishment of the Child Development Department (JPKK) under the Social Welfare Department (JKM) still requires amendments to several specific laws, said Dato Sri Nancy Shukri. The Minister of Women, Family and Community Development stated that this is to enable the JPKK to operate independently without being tied to other departments. She said in principle, the department is already operating but several child-related laws need to be amended to avoid overlapping with other departments. 'In terms of operations, there is no change, and we are still in the process of recruiting new staff, which is expected to be completed next year. 'Similarly, at present, there are many other laws related to children including the Child Act, the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, and the Criminal Offences involving Children Act,' she added. She made these remarks when met by the media after officiating the Santubong Parliamentary Women Empowerment Programme 2025, organised by the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) at Dewan Jamilah, Yayasan Sarawak here today. Commenting further, Nancy, who is also Santubong MP, said the process of amending these laws would take a considerable amount of time and is expected to be completed next year. 'When we want to amend a law, it doesn't take just a day or a month. 'Before submitting a proposal to amend the law, we must review the existing laws and regulations to avoid conflicts with other departments. After that, there will be engagement sessions,' the minister explained. According to Nancy, the JPKK was established on Sept 1, 2023 to replace the Children's Division under JKM. She said the successful establishment of JPKK reflects the government's concern for the safety and welfare of children in the country. child development department JPKK law amendments nancy shukri
New Straits Times
08-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Man charged with sodomising step-daughter
KUALA LUMPUR: An air conditioning technician today claimed trial at the Sessions Court to a charge of committing carnal intercourse with his nine-year-old step-daughter last month. The 40-year-old entered his plea after the charge was read out to him before judge Zulqarnain Hassan. He was accused of committing the act on the girl, as someone entrusted to her as a stepfather, whose relationship to him is such that he is not permitted under the law, religion, or custom to marry her. The alleged offence occurred at 2am at the balcony of an apartment in Cheras on April 8. The charge, under Section 377C of the Penal Code, provides a maximum 20-year jail term and is liable to whipping upon conviction. It was read with Section 16(1) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, which carries a jail term not exceeding five years and not less than two lashes if found guilty. Deputy public prosecutor Faizah Khalilah Zaberi did not offer bail due to the family ties between the accused and the victim. "Investigations reveal they live under the same roof. We are worried that if bail is given, he will harass her and the prosecution witnesses. "The accused is charged with a serious offence under the Penal Code, and it involves a child victim," she said. In mitigation, lawyer Charanpal Singh applied for bail for his client, who is supporting his unemployed first wife and four biological children aged between 14 and 7. "The victim is his second wife's daughter. He is not yet convicted under Section 377C, and if he is refused bail, he will not be able to take care of his family. "We have no objection if the court wants to impose other conditions, such as reporting to the police station. "I understand that this case involves a child victim. She is now under the care of her mother, who will surely not allow her to go near the accused," he said. In a rebuttal, Faizah stood by her stance not to offer bail. "Although the lawyer said the victim is under the mother's care, I ask the court to consider the fact that they are still married. "There is a high probability that he will harass her through various communications, and this is a sexual crime against a child, who is the accused's stepchild," she said. After hearing the submissions from the prosecution and defence, Zulqarnain denied the accused bail. "The court is of the opinion that it is not appropriate to give bail. "The charge is serious and it involves a sexual crime against a child," he said. The court set June 17 for document submission.
New Straits Times
07-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Teacher charged with sexually assaulting 11-year-old
SEREMBAN: A primary school teacher has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old student two years ago. The accused, Abdul Halim Ismail, 37, made the plea after the charges were read out to him before Judge Hazeelyah Muhammad. According to the charge, Halim is accused of sexually assaulting the boy, then 11, on the nights of June 28 and 29, 2023 at a hotel in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. The charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act, which carries a penalty of imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction. Under Section 16(1) of the Act, a person may be sentenced to imprisonment of not more than half the maximum jail term for the offence attempted, and may also be subjected to whipping. Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni did not propose bail but requested that it be set at a high amount should the court allow it. She told the court that since 2023, Halim has faced charges of sexual assault against children at the Raub, Ipoh and Melaka Sessions Courts. Halim's lawyer, Aliff Aiman Rusli, appealed for a low bail, citing his client's lack of income due to his suspension since 2023. The court set bail at RM5,000 for each charge. Halim was also ordered to report to the nearest police station every month, surrender his passport to the court, and stay away from the victim and witnesses. The court set 9 June for case remention.
