Man charged with raping adopted daughter

KOTA KINABALU: A man charged with raping his adopted daughter will have his pre-trial case management on May 19 this year at the Sessions Court here.

Judge Norhafizah Zainal Abidin fixed the date for the 54year-old accused after he denied committing the offence against the 15-year-old girl in a Pitas village on June 26 last year, between 1pm and 2pm.

If he is found guilty under Section 376(2) (d) of the Penal Code, the accused is liable to imprisonment of up to 30 years with whipping.

Deputy public prosecutor Husna Abdul Halim objected to bail considering the seriousness of the offence, adding that the accused may tamper with the victim due to their close relationship.

In reply, counsel Rahimah Majid for the accused implored the court to release her client on a low bail sum as he is the sole breadwinner of six children.

Rahimah also informed the court that the victim is now under the care of the Welfare Department, therefore lowering the likelihood of the accused approaching her.

In adjourning for pre-trial case management, the court ordered for the accused to be further detained under Section 259 of the Criminal Procedure Code, until his counsel addresses the court on any special circumstances that would allow the accused to be released on bail.

The same court jailed eight foreigners, including a woman, for four months on separate counts of entering the State without a valid pass.

Judge Norhafizah imposed the punishment on the illegal immigrants upon their respective guilty pleas to the charge under Section 6(1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

On conviction, the indictment carries a fine of up to RM100,000 or a maximum of five years’ jail or both, apart from whipping of not more than six strokes for male offenders.

In addition to the jail term, the court also ordered one stroke of whipping to be inflicted on seven of the accused persons, sparing the woman.

Aged between 19 and 52, the foreigners worked in the local market, as fishermen and as contract workers, before they were apprehended by the authorities.