A teacher and his friend have each been sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment and fined RM5,000 after being found guilty of trafficking a local woman for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Sessions Court Judge Mohd Zul Zakiqudin Zulkifli handed down the sentence on Mohd Hasfyanizam Mansor, 50, and Mohamad Fazley Jaafar, 31, a labourer, at the conclusion of the defence case on Tuesday.
The court also ordered both men to serve an additional six months in prison if they fail to pay the fine.
According to the charge, the pair trafficked a 29-year-old Malaysian woman for sexual exploitation by taking advantage of her vulnerable situation and susceptibility to human trafficking.
The offence was committed at a condominium along Jalan Sultan Omar at about 2.35am on 11 March 2024. They were charged under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
During mitigation, defence counsel Mohd Shahir Mat Jusoh of Ghazali & Co urged the court to impose a lighter sentence, arguing that both men are family breadwinners and that a lengthy prison term would have a significant impact on their wives and children.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Hafizudin Manjur Ahmad sought a heavier punishment, stressing that Mohd Hasfyanizam, as a teacher, should have served as a role model to society instead of committing such a serious offence.
The prosecution also told the court that a stern sentence would serve as a lesson for both accused, encouraging them to reflect on their actions and become better members of society after serving their punishment.
Before delivering the sentence, Judge Mohd Zul Zakiqudin said he hoped the punishment would instil remorse in both men and serve as a deterrent against similar offences in the future.
The prosecution was also conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noradila Abdul Latif.
