A 47-year-old teacher, Farid Azhar Nawi, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment by the Sessions Court in Senawang today for physically sexually abusing a 13-year-old female student at a secondary school surau in 2022.
In addition to the seven-year sentence, Farid was ordered to serve an additional two years in prison with two strokes of the cane, to run concurrently from the date of conviction. He is also required to undergo counseling during his sentence and one year of police supervision upon release.
Judge Datin Surita Budin handed down the sentence after the defense failed to establish any reasonable doubt.
According to the charges, Farid was accused of physically sexually molesting the girl by touching her waist for sexual purposes while holding a position of trust as her teacher. The incident took place at the school surau in Senawang around 5:30 p.m. on 4 August 2022.
Farid was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16(c) of the same act. Conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping, or five years’ imprisonment and two strokes of the cane.
In her judgment, Surita explained that the court considered both mitigation from the defense and aggravating factors presented by the prosecution. She noted that the facts of the case, witness testimonies, appeals, and public interest indicated that leniency could not be granted in sexual abuse cases involving children.
“The accused, as a teacher, was entrusted with the responsibility to educate children but abused his position, causing trauma to the victim, tarnishing the reputation of religious educators, and damaging the school’s image,” she said. “The accused should have protected and guided the student, not take advantage of a 13-year-old.”
During mitigation, Farid’s lawyer, Nor Azleen Khairina A Aziz, requested a minimum sentence, stating that her client intended to appeal the conviction. She highlighted that Farid cooperated fully during proceedings, was a first-time offender, and expressed remorse. She also mentioned that he has two wives, five children (three currently in university), and cares for a 40-year-old autistic younger brother.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni urged the court to impose a sentence that reflected the severity of the sexual offense against a child and Farid’s position as the victim’s teacher. She emphasized that the crime occurred in the surau during an Islamic Education class and that public interest should take precedence over personal considerations.
The defense also applied for a stay of sentence, which the prosecution opposed. The judge allowed a postponement of the sentence pending appeal, noting that the accused is a civil servant.
The court also increased bail from RM8,000 to RM20,000 with one family member as guarantor and ordered Farid to report monthly to the nearest police station and surrender his passport to the court.
