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The Federal Court today, 1 October, dismissed former Perak executive councillor Paul Yong Choo Kiong's final appeal against his rape conviction, bringing an end to a legal battle that began more than six years ago
A three-member panel chaired by Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh unanimously ruled that Yong's conviction was sound and ordered him to begin serving his eight-year prison sentence and two strokes of the cane immediately.
Yong, who was the former Tronoh assemblyperson under Pakatan Harapan (PH), was found guilty in July 2022 by the Ipoh High Court of raping his Indonesian domestic worker at his home in Meru Desa Park, Ipoh, in July 2019.
He was initially sentenced to 13 years' jail and two strokes of the cane, but the Court of Appeal later reduced the jail term to eight years while maintaining the whipping penalty, reported FMT.
Last year, the Federal Court allowed Yong to introduce new evidence in his appeal after his former Indonesian maid retracted her allegations
During a hearing at the Ipoh High Court in February this year, Yong's defence team tendered the declaration and supporting documents, including testimony from the woman's lawyer.
However, the Federal Court ultimately found Yong's appeal and defence "baseless" and upheld the earlier findings of the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Yong, who was previously a Bersatu member and formerly aligned with DAP, was a prominent political figure in Perak. His case became one of the most high-profile sexual assault trials involving a Malaysian politician.
Yong with his wife.
Image via L Manimaran/New Straits TimesIf you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9.30am – 4.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9am – 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6082-422660
SMS/WhatsApp: +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 2pm)
Contact: +6088-280200
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (8.30am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6016-2273065 | +6016-7213065
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
8. HEAL
Contact: 15555
