By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Nov 13: A 52-year-old woman was sentenced to five years’ jail by the Sessions Court here today after admitting that she allowed her 16-year-old daughter to be sexually abused by a 77-year-old relative, and that she never lodged a police report despite knowing what had happened.
Judge Noorhisham Mohd Jaafar ordered the term to take effect from her arrest on Oct 21, 2026. He also directed that she undergo rehabilitative counselling while serving her sentence, as provided under Section 26(1) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (SOACA) 2017, and placed her under police supervision for two years under Section 27(1) of the same law.
She had been charged under Section 31(1)(b) of the Child Act 2001, which applies to those responsible for a child’s care.
The offence took place at a house in Padawan on Oct 11, 2026. The court heard that the victim’s great-uncle came to the family home that day to pick up fertiliser and asked the girl to help him. She was alone at the time.
He then groped her breasts and private parts and kissed her on the mouth. Despite her attempts to fight him off, he overpowered her and told her to keep quiet about it.
The girl went to school as usual the following day, where a classmate saw her crying and told a school counsellor. The counsellor called her parents and arranged a meeting to discuss the matter.
Instead of going to the police, the couple decided not to file a report. The court was told they wished to avoid dragging the matter out because a relative was involved and they were worried about being blamed by other family members.
In a separate hearing before Judge Noorhisham, the 77-year-old man was charged with physical sexual assault on a child for allegedly groping the girl’s breasts and private parts for sexual purposes.
He claimed trial on the charge under Section 14(a) of SOACA 2017, read with Section 16(1). Bail was refused, and the case was fixed for case management on Dec 11.
The girl’s 56-year-old father faces the same charge as his wife under Section 31(1)(b) of the Child Act 2001. He too pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court Judge Musli Ab Hamid, who denied bail and ordered him remanded at Puncak Borneo Prison. His case will be mentioned on Dec 14.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly prosecuted all three cases. None of the accused had legal representation. — DayakDaily
