A security guard was recently sentenced to a maximum penalty of five years’ jail, with five canings following his guilty pleas towards a charge of sexual assault on an Indonesian woman.
Prosecutors Hajah Siti Mu’izzah binti Haji Sabli and Hanan bin Erwan detailed the incident, which occurred on the night of January 26. It unfolded when Mohammad Syafwandi bin Mustafa, a 25-year-old local man employed by a security company, crossed the border for some drinks. After being intoxicated, the defendant drove to Kampong Manggis to meet his wife but made a stop near a tailor shop where the victim worked. Startled by his sudden entry into the shop, the victim was forcibly strangled and pushed onto a bed by the defendant. Despite her attempts to scream, she was unable to do so due to being strangled.
The defendant, while pressing his body on top of hers, uttered threatening words and attempted to assault her.
However, the victim managed to resist and bite the defendant’s hand, prompting him to briefly lose control.
Seizing the opportunity, she fled to seek help from nearby residents, three Indian men, who assisted her in notifying the authorities.
The defendant, upon confrontation, denied the accusations but admitted to being intoxicated.
During sentencing, the Judicial Commissioner Muhammed Faisal bin Pehin Datu Juragan Laila Diraja Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Kefli emphasised the severity of the crime, noting the defendant’s prior attempt to solicit services from the victim in 2023.
Despite pleading guilty and expressing remorse, the court deemed the offence too grave to warrant leniency and decided to impose the maximum penalty. – Fadley Faisal
