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PETALING JAYA: DAP today criticised the 15-month jail term for a religious teacher convicted of sexual offences against children, labelling it “grossly inadequate” and “clearly disproportionate”.
The deputy chair for Selangor DAP Wanita, Sangeet Kaur Deo, also urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers to appeal against the sentence, which she said did not do justice to the victims and their families.
Sangeet, daughter of the late Karpal Singh, said the sentence meted out by the Ampang Magistrate’s Court on Zahari Alwi failed to reflect the seriousness of the offences, particularly against children who were helpless and vulnerable placed in his care.
Zahari, 56, who operates a welfare centre in Kuala Lumpur, recently pleaded guilty to two charges which involved allegations of insulting the modesty of a person and having possession of an obscene film.
Zahari was alleged to have watched a 10-year-old girl using the bathroom in December 2015. Police later discovered a pornographic video of the victim on the suspect’s laptop in January the following year.
The magistrate handed down a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment for the first charge and 13 months’ imprisonment for the second charge, and ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
Sangeet said the maximum sentence for the first charge is imprisonment of not more than five years or fine or both, while the maximum sentence for the second charge is imprisonment of not more than five years or fine of not more than RM50,000.00.
“Such lenient sentences would not be an effective deterrent against would-be sexual predators and paedophiles,” she said in a statement, adding that heavier sentences were needed in the interest of the children.
Sangeet went on to state that the seriousness of such offences was acknowledged by Parliament which had enacted the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 to tackle such crimes.
The court, therefore, she said, had the responsibility to ensure fairness and justice is served and deliver a sentence that is proportionate to the seriousness of the offence committed.
Innocent children, Sangeet said, must be protected not only by way of legislation but by way of effective enforcement as well.
“Severe punishment is needed to deter other members of the public from committing similar offences”.
The deputy chair for Selangor DAP Wanita, Sangeet Kaur Deo, also urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers to appeal against the sentence, which she said did not do justice to the victims and their families.
Sangeet, daughter of the late Karpal Singh, said the sentence meted out by the Ampang Magistrate’s Court on Zahari Alwi failed to reflect the seriousness of the offences, particularly against children who were helpless and vulnerable placed in his care.
Zahari, 56, who operates a welfare centre in Kuala Lumpur, recently pleaded guilty to two charges which involved allegations of insulting the modesty of a person and having possession of an obscene film.
Zahari was alleged to have watched a 10-year-old girl using the bathroom in December 2015. Police later discovered a pornographic video of the victim on the suspect’s laptop in January the following year.
The magistrate handed down a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment for the first charge and 13 months’ imprisonment for the second charge, and ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
Sangeet said the maximum sentence for the first charge is imprisonment of not more than five years or fine or both, while the maximum sentence for the second charge is imprisonment of not more than five years or fine of not more than RM50,000.00.
“Such lenient sentences would not be an effective deterrent against would-be sexual predators and paedophiles,” she said in a statement, adding that heavier sentences were needed in the interest of the children.
Sangeet went on to state that the seriousness of such offences was acknowledged by Parliament which had enacted the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 to tackle such crimes.
The court, therefore, she said, had the responsibility to ensure fairness and justice is served and deliver a sentence that is proportionate to the seriousness of the offence committed.
Innocent children, Sangeet said, must be protected not only by way of legislation but by way of effective enforcement as well.
“Severe punishment is needed to deter other members of the public from committing similar offences”.
That monstrous paedophile was found guilty of sexual offences against CHILDREN including watching a porn video of a 10-year-old girl using the bathroom, and he receives only 15 months jail?
Sangeet description of that sentence as "grossly" inadequate has been absolutely correct. Whoever was the magistrate of the Ampang Magistrate’s Court that handed down that ridiculously feather-light sentence ought to be sacked a.s.a.p.
In June 1999, Anwar Ibrahim's first sodomy case, of homosexual activities between two adults, the former DPM was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment.
In his 2nd sodomy case in 2004 he was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.
In both Anwar's cases, no children was involved.
As I mentioned, that magistrate should be sacked and/or reprimanded/demoted kaukau.
Religious teacher mah....special consideration.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the case was only brought to the magistrate's court.
Magistrates have limited authority to impose jail periods, unlike the High Court or eve the Sessions Court.
You really worry how many more Paedophiles are undiscovered yet running orphanages, religious schools, boarding schools, taska, nurseries, children's wards etc.
ReplyDeleteAll those Paedophiles caught and charged should have their pictures posted in public or a registry of offenders to warn societies of their animalistic lusts.
Psychological mental disorder is not an excuse to give a light sentence for Paedophiles. All should be castrated or neutered before release back into society. There is no cure for Paedophilia.
Oestad are generally held in high esteem in the Malay /Muslim community.
ReplyDeleteIf the police stop a vehicle which has committed a traffic offence, and they find that the motorist is an Oestad, usually they will let him go without issuing any compound fine.
The policeman would have done his part for Agama, and we'll as helped his soul for Akhirat.
This particular case was much more serious, but I believe similar attitudes are at work here in letting off the person lightly.
BTW, in neighbouring Thailand, Buddhist monks who commit transgressions with the law are also usually let off lightly.
it was not a minor traffic offence or a mere transgression - it was a monstrous evil crime
DeleteHannah Yeoh suggested having a sex offenders registry and the nearest police station has this info. The guy should be jailed longer, put on the register and not be allowed to teach or look after children.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Darul Pedophile MALAYsia.
ReplyDelete