Appeals Court upholds 24-year jail term for father convicted of sexual abuse of daughter

THE Court of Appeal today upheld a 24-year prison sentence for a 45-year-old man found guilty of sexually abusing his 13-year-old daughter.

The three-judge panel, led by Datuk Azman Abdullah alongside Datuk Mohamed Zaini Mazlan and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, dismissed the man’s appeal, describing the offences as “abhorrent” and reinforcing the need for a stern warning to society.

“Courts must provide a reminder and warning not only to the appellant but also to the public that sexual crimes against children, particularly those committed by a father against his own child, are taken very seriously and warrant a heavy sentence,” Noorin said while delivering the verdict.

The court also ordered the immediate issuance of a warrant to ensure the man begins serving his sentence today. Previously, he had been released on RM15,000 bail while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.

Noorin noted that the victim’s testimony was credible and consistent, and that the delay in reporting the abuse did not cast reasonable doubt on the allegations.

“The victim was only 13 years old at the time, a child who still required protection from her parents. When the crime is committed by the father, who is supposed to be her protector, it is understandably difficult for her to disclose the abuse to anyone,” she said. “We are satisfied with the explanation provided by the victim for her delayed reporting of the offences committed by her father.”

During the appeal, defence lawyer Iskandar Shah Ibrahim argued that the victim’s credibility was questionable as the police report was only filed three years after the incidents.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nik Mohd Fadli Nik Azlan countered that the victim delayed reporting due to fear of losing her father, to whom she was still dependent at the time.

The original trial in the Muar Sessions Court on 8 June 2023 found the man guilty of three counts of physical sexual abuse against his daughter, sentencing him to eight years’ imprisonment for each count, to run concurrently.

On 28 April last year, the High Court dismissed his appeal against conviction and sentence but allowed the prosecution’s cross-appeal to have the prison terms served consecutively, resulting in the 24-year sentence.

The offences were committed in a room at a residence in Muar, Johor, between December 2017 and February 2018. The prosecution was also represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Zaki Asyraf Zubir. - November 25, 2025