KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — A caregiver at a children’s welfare home was sentenced by the Ampang Sessions Court today to 11 years’ imprisonment and five strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to six charges involving sexual offences and unnatural sex against two boys earlier this year.

Judge Norshila Kamarudin ordered Retna Velu, 25, to serve the prison sentences concurrently from the date of his arrest on April 3, 2026.

The court imposed one stroke of the cane for each of the first five charges, while no whipping sentence was imposed for the offence under Section 15(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

In addition, the judge ordered the accused to undergo counselling throughout his imprisonment and placed him under police supervision for two years upon completion of his sentence.

Under three charges, the man was accused of committing unnatural sex against two boys aged eight and 10 years and five months at a care centre in Batu Caves between February and March 2026.

The charges were framed under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of between five and 20 years, and whipping.

Retna also faced two charges of committing physical sexual assault against the same victims at the same location in March 2026 under Sections 14(a) and 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provide for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and whipping.

For another charge, he was accused of committing non-physical sexual assault against the 10-year-and-five-month-old victim at the same location and during the same period under Section 15(a)(i) of the same Act, which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years, a fine of up to RM20,000, or both.

Earlier, the mother of the eight-year-old victim said in her victim impact statement that her child had become withdrawn and fearful of speaking to or interacting with others following the incident.

“I received complaints from the school that my child’s academic performance had deteriorated and he often appeared tired. However, teachers at the school provided counselling and he now seems to be improving,” she said.

Meanwhile, the aunt of the 10-year-and-five-month-old victim said her nephew remained emotionally unstable, fearful of strangers, especially men, and frequently spoke to family members about the traumatic incident.

Deputy public prosecutors Nadiah Malek Fauzie and Muhammad Hairul Iqram Hairuddin urged the court to impose a heavy sentence as a lesson to others, taking into account public interest and the deep psychological impact on the victims.

“The prosecution also sought separate prison sentences for all six charges, as well as a police supervision order and counselling throughout the imprisonment period,” Nadiah said.

Retna, who was unrepresented, appealed for a lighter sentence.

Also present as watching brief counsel for the complainants and Selangor-based Pertubuhan Kebangkitan Tiga Tangan were S. Kirthen and S. Premila.

The man still faces nine similar charges involving different victims before Ampang Sessions Court judge Ho Kwong Chin, with sentencing set for June 4. — Bernama

SEREMBAN, May 20 — A female teacher pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to five counts of physical and non-physical sexual assault against a 14-year-old male student, dating back to September last year.

Nurul Asyikin Sutan Shahril, 42, entered her plea after the charges were read before Judge Siti Aishah Ab Rashid.

For two counts of physical sexual assault, the class teacher allegedly committed the act under a tree outside an apartment here between Sept 12 and 20, 2025, around 2.30 pm.

She is also accused of repeating the act against the same victim at a house here at 1.30 pm on April 7 last.

The charges were filed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and caning upon conviction.

The accused faces an additional physical sexual assault charge under Section 377B of the Penal Code, which carries a similar penalty.

For the non-physical charges, she was accused of sending indecent images to the boy via WhatsApp between Sept 13 and April 10 last year, at an apartment here.

The accused also faces a separate non-physical sexual assault charge against the same victim at the same location and time period, by making him send indecent images of himself via WhatsApp.

Both these charges were filed under Section 15(a)(I) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, or a fine not exceeding RM20,000, or both.

Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni requested bail of RM30,000 for each charge, but the accused’s lawyer Zaflee Pakwanteh appealed for a reduction, citing his client’s financial constraints.

Judge Siti Aishah Ab Rashid then set bail at RM25,000 for all charges. She also ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station every month, not to interfere with the victim or prosecution witnesses, and to surrender her passport.

The court set July 1 for further case mention. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — The Sessions Court in Kangar, Perlis, today acquitted and discharged former Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli’s son, Mohd Syafeeq Mohd Shukri, 37, of a charge involving the submission of a false claim worth more than RM19,000, without calling for his defence.

According to a report published by Berita Harian, Judge Datuk Nu’aman Mahmud Zuhudi made the ruling after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused at the close of the prosecution’s case.

In delivering the judgment, Nu’aman said the court’s role at the end of the prosecution stage was to determine whether a prima facie case had been proven.

He said the court examined two main issues throughout the trial, namely the testimony and verification of witnesses regarding the case evidence, as well as whether the accused qualified as an agent.

“Therefore, after examining the testimonies of the witnesses, the court finds that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case for the charge.

“The accused is discharged and acquitted without being called to enter his defence, and the bail money is to be returned,” he said.

Meanwhile, defence counsel Mohd Fadhly Yaacob said the decision marked the end of his client’s two-year struggle to clear both his and his family’s name.

“This acquittal also clears the family’s name, as well as that of the former Perlis menteri besar, which had previously been affected.

“We are deeply grateful that after 11 prosecution witnesses gave convincing testimony, the court carefully considered all the facts and legal issues before deciding to acquit Syafeeq,” he said.

At the same time, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Fariz Abdul Hamid said the prosecution would file a notice of appeal within 14 days to seek a review of the ruling.

According to the charge sheet, Mohd Syafeeq was accused of submitting a document containing false particulars involving a Perlis state government service supply order with the intention of deceiving authorities over a claim amounting to RM19,505.10 on February 14, 2024.

KOTA KINABALU, May 19 — The Sessions Court here has found former Sabah Water Department director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib guilty of 12 charges of money laundering.

Judge Abu Bakar Manat has allowed a short stand down for the prosecution and defence to prepare mitigation for Ag Mohd Tahir before passing sentence.

Two others — Ag Mohd Tahir’s wife Fauziah Piut and former deputy director Lim Lam Beng @ Lim Chee Hong — were discharged and acquitted of all their charges.

Fauziah had 19 charges while Lim faced four charges. — The Borneo Post

MORE TO COME

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — A total of 45 documents, including recorded conversations and bank account statements, have been handed over to the defence in the money laundering case involving former Army Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife, Salwani Anuar.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat informed the Sessions Court today that the documents were submitted in accordance with Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code, with three more sets expected to be handed over in stages within the next one to two months.

Lawyers Aizul Rohan Anuar and Fahmi Abd Moin, representing the couple, confirmed receipt of the documents, while Judge Azura Alwi fixed June 25 for the next case mention.

Also appearing for the prosecution in the case are deputy public prosecutors Farah Yasmin Salleh and Natrah Fareha Rahmat.

On January 22, Muhammad Hafizuddeain, 58, was charged at the Sessions Court here on four counts of receiving proceeds from illegal activities totalling RM969,000, RM474,850, RM488,550 and RM190,000, which were deposited into three bank accounts belonging to him.

All the offences were allegedly committed at three banks, involving three different locations, namely at Jalan Melaka, Bukit Damansara and the city centre here, between February 2 2024 and November 7 2025.

On the same date, Salwani, 27, was charged with four counts of receiving money from unlawful activities amounting to RM50,000, RM7,000, RM10,000 and RM10,000, which were deposited into a company bank account at a bank branch in Damansara Heights, Wisma UOA II here, between November 24, 2024, and November 25, 2025.

On January 23, Muhammad Hafizuddeain was charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on two counts of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities, namely RM115,000 and RM30,000 deposited into his bank account at a bank branch in Ampang Point, Ampang, between February 2, 2024 and May 19, 2025.

Salwani was also charged at the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court on January 26 on a charge of receiving RM5,000, which was alleged proceeds from unlawful activities deposited into her bank account at a bank branch in Jertih near Besut, on January 16, 2025.

All charges were brought under Subsection 4(1) (b) of the AMLATFPUAA and are punishable under Subsection 4 (1) of the same act. However, the cases faced by the couple in the Shah Alam and Kuala Terengganu Sessions Courts have been transferred to the Sessions Court here to be tried together. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — The Sessions Court has set July 20 to deliver its verdict on Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, who faces three corruption charges involving RM2.8 million linked to a RM150 million investment in Public Mutual Berhad unit trusts.

Judge Rosli Ahmad set the date after hearing final submissions from both the prosecution and defence at the close of the defence case today.

“The court sets July 20 for the decision. The parties must file any additional written submissions on or before June 9,” he said.

Zizie Izette, the widow of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, former Kinabatangan MP, faces three charges of conspiring with her husband to obtain RM2.8 million in cash bribes.

The defence team closed its case after Zizie Izette completed her testimony on March 5. Bung Moktar had testified on Sept 2, 2025, following the couple’s failed appeal against a Court of Appeal ruling that ordered them to enter their defence.

The Court of Appeal delivered that ruling on Nov 18, 2024, after allowing the prosecution’s appeal against the couple’s acquittal by the High Court.

However, on Jan 16 this year, the Sessions Court discharged Bung Moktar from all three charges following the prosecution’s decision to discontinue the case against the former lawmaker, who died on Dec 5, 2025.

Earlier, on Sept 2, 2022, Sessions Court Judge Rozina Ayob had ordered both Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette to enter their defence on all three charges, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against them.

Zizie Izette, 47, is accused of conspiring with Bung Moktar, then non-executive chairman of Felcra Berhad, to obtain RM2.2 million in cash bribes from Madhi Abdul Hamid, a Public Mutual Berhad investment agent.

The alleged bribe was payment for her husband securing approval from the Second Finance Minister for Felcra Berhad to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual Berhad unit trust products. — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU, May 16 — The Sessions Court here has ordered a man to enter his defence on a charge of committing physical sexual assault against a teenage girl.

Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan made the order on the 63-year-old after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him.

The man allegedly touched the 17-year-old victim’s shoulder and kissed her lower lip in a lift of an apartment here at 9.30pm on April 1, 2024.

The charge comes under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and caning upon conviction.

The court fixed Sept 7-8 for the accused to answer his defence and extended bail of RM6,000 with two local sureties.

The prosecution had called seven witnesses to testify against the accused.

Deputy public prosecutor Bryan Francis handled the prosecution while the accused was represented by counsel Mohd Al Hafidz Mohd Lokman. — The Borneo Post

* If you are experiencing sexual violence, the following hotlines offer free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); All Women’s Action Society at 016-2374221/016-2284221 (9.30am-5.30pm); and Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) at 03-30008858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA 018-9888058 (24/7)

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — Earlier Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation records into the Penang undersea tunnel project had indicated there was insufficient evidence against former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng before further investigations were carried out in 2020, according to The Star.

According to the report, MACC investigating officer Zulhilmi Ramli told the Sessions Court today that he had initially joined a task force in early 2020 to review earlier statements and documents linked to the project following a complaint lodged in 2018.

During cross-examination by defence counsel Haijan Omar, Zulhilmi agreed that, based on the materials reviewed at the time, existing statements and documents in the investigation papers were insufficient and required further clarification.

He also agreed with a suggestion by the defence that, as of June 2020, there was insufficient evidence against Lim.

Zulhilmi reportedly said that he only took over as investigating officer in June 2020, after several earlier officers had handled different investigation papers relating to the project.

The witness also agreed that internal minutes or memos in the investigation papers contained references indicating there was “no case” against Lim at the time and that investigations had earlier been halted pending further developments.

However, Zulhilmi disagreed with the defence’s suggestion that the investigation was solely focused on Lim, maintaining that the probe involved multiple individuals linked to the Penang undersea tunnel and three main roads project, The Star reported. 

He told the court he had reviewed earlier investigation papers containing statements from several witnesses and that further clarification was later sought from some of them as part of continuing investigations.

Lim, 65, faces charges of using his position to obtain RM3.3 million in gratification linked to the project, as well as a second charge involving an alleged 10 per cent profit from the project.

He also faces two charges related to the disposal of Penang government land valued at RM208.8 million to companies linked to the project.

The trial before Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi continues on June 4 and 5.