By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, March 18: A 57-year-old former police corporal was brought before the Sessions Court today, facing charges of raping his 12-year-old niece.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the amended charge read out by an interpreter before Judge Iris Awen Jon. The amended charge, under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, accuses the man of raping a 12-year-old girl.
The alleged crimes reportedly took place at a residence in Petra Jaya between 2003 and June 21, 2009. If convicted, the accused could face up to 20 years in prison and may also be subjected to caning.
During the court proceedings, the defence lawyer, Abdul Rahman Hazmi, representing the accused, requested bail, arguing that his client no longer resides in the same area as the victim.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Aiman Mutallib Mohamad Shariff opposed the bail application, citing the severity of the offense and the risk of the accused fleeing.
The prosecution also highlighted that the accused had previously fled to Indonesia after the victim filed a police report against him for rape.
Judge Iris Awen Jon sided with the prosecution, denying bail due to the accused’s prior attempt to evade justice. The court has scheduled the next case management hearing for April 21.
According to reports, the victim alleged that she was raped seven times between 2003, when she was just seven years old, and June 21, 2009, when she was 12.
The victim eventually filed a police report, prompting an investigation. However, the accused fled to Indonesia after learning of the report.
Following his escape in 2009, the accused reportedly changed his name and identity, obtained Indonesian citizenship, and even established a new life with an adoptive family in the country.
After 16 years on the run, he was finally apprehended by Malaysian police on March 7. Authorities arrested him at Kuala Lumpur International Airport as he was preparing to return to Indonesia, following a tip-off from his relatives. — DayakDaily
