Datuk Seri claims trial to outraging modesty of daughter
A BUSINESSMAN with a Datuk Seri title was yesterday charged at the magistrate’s court here with outraging the modesty of his daughter since last year.
The 48-year-old accused pleaded not guilty to the offence before magistrate Wong Chai Sia.
He was slapped with two counts of using criminal force to outrage the modesty of his 21year-old daughter at a house in a residential area off Jalan Sentul, on July 16 last year and Feb 9 this year.
He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries up to 10 years’ jail, or a fine, or whipping, upon conviction.
The father of four was also alleged to have uttered profanities at the victim in a car near Sentul between 12.45am and 1am on July 17.
The offence falls under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which carries up to five years’ jail, or a fine, or both.
Deputy public prosecutors Md Azhari Abu Hanit and Mohd Josiendra Abu Senin prosecuted. The accused was represented by counsel M. Puravalen.
Counsel Datuk K. Ganesh held a watching brief for the victim.
Josiendra asked the court to impose a RM100,000 bail with one surety on the accused.
“The court must consider the status of the accused, who is a successful businessman and owns several mini markets in the Klang Valley. If the court allows a lower amount of bail, the accused will take this case lightly.
“We also want the accused to surrender his passport and not to disturb our witnesses.”
Puravalen pleaded for a minimum bail, saying the accused had been under police bail for the past month.
“His other children visited him twice after the police report was lodged. He also has custody of his youngest child.”
Ganesh interjected, saying the visits by the accused’s children were merely to collect personal belongings.
“They went to the house to get their school items. Right now, they are staying somewhere else and are very scared.”
The court set RM25,000 bail with one surety and ordered the accused to surrender his passport until the disposal of the case. The court fixed April 27 for mention.