By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Apr 2: A 34-year-old Indonesian man was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court here after pleading guilty to living on the earnings of prostitution of two foreign women at a spa and beauty centre along Jalan Airport last month.
The accused, identified as Eko from Pontianak, pleaded guilty to two charges before Judge Noorhisham Mohd Jaafar.
For the first offence, he was charged under Section 372A(1) of the Penal Code for living on the earnings of prostitution involving a Thai woman and an Indonesian woman. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment, whipping, and a possible fine.
He was also charged under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for overstaying in Malaysia after his visit pass expired on Feb 14.
Both offences were committed at the spa premises at about 2.15pm on March 23.
The court imposed nine years’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane for the prostitution-related charge, and an additional four months’ jail for the immigration offence. The sentences are to run from the date of his arrest on March 23.
According to the facts of the case, enforcement officers raided the premises and detained the accused along with two foreign women believed to be involved in prostitution activities.
Items seized during the operation included a bottle of lubricant, a condom, and RM300 in cash.
Investigations revealed that the accused had entered Malaysia on a social visit pass and was working at the premises as a manager and cleaner, earning about RM1,100 a month.
He was found to have handled customer arrangements for sexual services provided by the two women, including collecting payments on their behalf before passing the money to his employer.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Ruvinasini Pandian. – DayakDaily
