JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 24 — A 31-year-old labourer claimed trial in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of allegedly raping his underage sister-in-law in Pontian last year.
The accused, a father of two, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Judge Madihah Zainol.
According to the charge sheet, he is accused of raping his sister-in-law, who was 15 years and five months old at the time of the incident.
The alleged offence took place at a house in Jalan Benteng, Kampung Parit Lapis Sayang in Benut, Pontian, around 9am in early July last year.
The charge was framed under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Farah Wahida Shahudin proposed bail of RM20,000, noting that the victim no longer lives with the accused.
However, counsel Mohamad Isa Mohamad Basir, representing the accused, requested a lower bail amount, stating that his client was a manual labourer with an uncertain daily income.
“The accused is also married and has two young children, one of whom has epilepsy. The victim also lives 40 kilometres away from the accused,” he argued.
Madihah then set bail at RM10,000 with one local guarantor and imposed several additional conditions.
The accused is prohibited from harassing the victim and prosecution witnesses until the case is completed, must report to the nearest police station once a month, and must surrender his international passport to the court.
The court set Oct 24 for case mention and submission of documents.
