KUCHING: An Indonesian woman was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment by the Magistrate’s Court here today for soliciting sex at a massage parlour earlier this month.
Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali handed down the sentence after the 33-year-old, identified as Misriyeh, pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 372B of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both upon conviction.
The court ordered the jail term to take effect from the date of conviction today.
According to the charge, the woman was found soliciting for the purpose of prostitution at an unnumbered room of a massage parlour near Sentosa Parade, Jalan Penrissen, at about 4:00 pm on July 4.
Based on the facts of the case, the arrest followed special anti-vice operations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Padawan District Police Headquarters.
An undercover police personnel was deployed to the premises to detect prostitution-related activities.
At about 4:35 pm on the same day, the undercover officer sent a WhatsApp message with the word “ON” to indicate that the transaction had been initiated.
Acting on the signal, the investigating team raided the premises and inspected the rented rooms.
During the inspection of an unnumbered room, officers found the undercover policeman with the accused, who had allegedly offered sexual services.
Police subsequently arrested the woman and seized several items believed to be connected to the offence, including an unused condom, a packet of tissues, a bottle of massage oil, and RM200 in cash.
Following investigations, police concluded there was sufficient evidence to establish that the accused had solicited for the purpose of prostitution, leading to the charge under Section 372B of the Penal Code.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan, whereas the accused was unrepresented.
