A 40-year-old martial arts instructor has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and ordered to receive one stroke of the cane after being found guilty of molesting his female student in an incident that occurred three years ago.
Magistrate Wan Farrah Farriza Wan Ghazali delivered the sentence against Yuslaine Awang Yusof following the conclusion of a full trial, ruling that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court also ordered the accused to pay RM5,000 in compensation to the victim immediately, with a further two months’ jail imposed in default of payment.
Yuslaine was further directed to serve his jail term starting from the date of conviction, bringing the legal proceedings to an immediate effect.
In her judgment, the magistrate stated that the defence had failed to raise any reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case, leading to the conviction under Section 354 of the Penal Code.
The offence relates to the use of criminal force with intent to outrage modesty, which carries a penalty of imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine, whipping, or a combination of these punishments upon conviction.
During the trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses, while the defence presented two witnesses in support of the accused.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Akaash Singh had urged the court to impose a deterrent custodial sentence with whipping, arguing that the accused had abused the trust placed in him as a silat instructor and caused psychological trauma to the victim, who was 17 at the time of the incident.
The prosecution also noted that the victim delayed reporting the case due to fear that it could affect her sporting progress, and argued that the accused showed no remorse by claiming trial, resulting in a full court hearing before conviction.
