Cover image via 
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
The Muar High Court has significantly increased the prison sentence of a 38-year-old man who pleaded guilty to two counts of raping his 13-year-old sister-in-law
Judicial Commissioner S Kalyana Kumar enhanced the initial eight-year concurrent sentence to 12 years for each offence, ordered to run consecutively, totalling 24 years in prison, according to Free Malaysia Today.
In his judgment delivered on 25 April, Kalyana described the previous sentence as "manifestly inadequate" and stressed that rape is a grave offence that warrants no leniency, particularly when involving a minor.
The court heard that the offences occurred at two separate housing estates in Kluang in March and August 2015. The victim subsequently gave birth, and DNA testing confirmed the respondent as the father.
Kalyana emphasised that the judiciary must reflect public abhorrence of such crimes and serve as a deterrent
He noted that the victim's future had been ruined by the man's actions, resulting in severe physical, emotional, and psychological trauma.
The High Court maintained that when offences are committed on separate dates and at different locations, the sentences should run consecutively rather than concurrently.
Beyond the increased jail time, the High Court upheld the previous penalties, which included six strokes of the rotan, mandatory counselling during detention, and two years police supervision after release.
The judge concluded that there were no extenuating circumstances to justify leniency, aside from the man's status as a first-time offender and his guilty plea
He added that society expects the courts to protect minors and take a firm stance against the high number of sexual offences involving children.
If 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
