MIRI: A 33-year-old Indonesian man has been jailed for 12 years and sentenced to three strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting his 12-year-old stepdaughter.
The Sessions Court in Miri convicted the man on two charges under Sections 14 and 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carry heavier penalties for offenders who abuse a position of trust or authority over a child.
The court heard that the offences were uncovered after the girl reported to authorities that her stepfather had assaulted her at their home in Niah on January 31, 2026.
She said the accused struck her on the head, arms and legs. During the investigation, she also revealed that on an earlier occasion, while she was bathing, he entered the bathroom and sexually assaulted her by touching her breast.
The accused admitted to both offences during the proceedings, but claimed his actions had been intended as a joke.
Following his conviction, the court imposed a sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane.
In a statement after the case, Miri District Police urged the public to respect and comply with Malaysian laws, particularly those protecting children from abuse and exploitation.
Police also appealed to anyone with information on crimes involving children to report them immediately to the Miri District Police Headquarters or the nearest police station, stressing that public cooperation is essential in safeguarding children’s welfare and ensuring offenders are brought to justice.
