A 49-year-old plantation worker has been charged in the Sessions Court here with allegedly raping his daughter over a period of about two years.
The accused, who was unrepresented by a lawyer, pleaded not guilty after the two charges were read before Sessions Court Judge Emelia Kaswati Mohamad Khalid today.
He is accused of raping his daughter, who is now 13, at a house in Tangkak on multiple occasions between 8am and 9am as well as between 9pm and 10pm in 2024 and January this year.
Both charges were brought under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Diyana Najihah Muhamed Fauzi appeared for the prosecution.
The accused had sought bail, but the prosecution opposed the application, citing concerns that he could remain in contact with the alleged victim, potentially abscond and pose a risk to the girl’s safety.
After considering the prosecution’s concerns, the court denied bail and fixed 18 September for mention.
The next mention will allow the prosecution to hand over the relevant documents and provide the accused with time to appoint legal representation.
It is understood that the girl recently lodged a police report alleging that her father had sexually assaulted her since she was 11.
The alleged abuse only came to light after the girl disclosed what had happened during a health screening programme conducted at her school.
The case remains before the court, with the accused presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
