Kota Kinabalu: A 2021 Unduk Ngadau contestant found herself helpless when she was alone with State Unduk Ngadau technical head charged with four counts of molesting.
The 22-year-old alleged victim said she did not know what to do when Philip Among (pic), who is on trial before Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie, squeezed her left shoulder and stomach while they were sitting on a sofa at Philip’s office in Metro Town.
“When the incident happened, I was very afraid but I didn’t know what to do and could only think about is going back to the hotel.
“I only showed my uncomfortable face to Philip when he committed the act against me as I was not familiar with the place as well as the road and that I don’t know where to go.
“When my boyfriend called me at that time, I gained courage to run from the office and go down to the parking lot but my handphone’s battery was weak. I was not sure whether there was anyone at the area (parking lot) at that time.
“After a while at the parking lot, Philip then came and asked me to go inside his car. I really hoped at the time that Philip would just send me back to the hotel.
“Along the way to the hotel, I didn’t talk to Philip or look at his face and I just held my tears.
“I followed him after he touched my body because I don’t have any choice as I don’t know the road or where to go…the only thing that I wanted at that time was to go back safely to the hotel,” she said during the continuation of trial, Monday.
She further testified that before Philip send her to the hotel, he went to his office at the Ever Best Photo to fetch Jack, one of Philip’s female staff, who was supposed to accompany the alleged victim to stay in the hotel.
Philip faced four counts of molesting the Unduk Ngadau contestant on May 19, 2021 at 2pm, 3.30pm, 9.45pm and 10pm, respectively at a staircase next to Ever Best Photo in Asia City, in Studio Darvel Bay Borneo Holidays Sdn Bhd in Asia City, in a moving vehicle while on the way from a dinner place to an old office in the city and in an office in Metro Town.
He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code provides for a jail term of up to 10 years, or with fine or with whipping or with any two of such punishments, on conviction.
Philip had on June 10, 2021 claimed trial to the charges.
The alleged victim further testified that after they fetched Jack, Philip then sent them to the hotel.
“While in the hotel lift, I couldn’t hold my tears anymore…I was crying while hugging Jack. And after arriving at the hotel room, I revealed everything to Jack who then told me that she knew the incident would happen.
“Jack told me that it was normal for Philip to do such acts.
“I then told Jack that I don’t want to stay at the hotel and will not participate in the photo shoot session the next day.
“I also told Jack that my friends Frenddy, Evian and Citeer will come to the hotel to fetch me.
“After a while, my friends came and took me out from the hotel,” she said.
To a question from Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Hajar Mazlan, the witness said her next action after the incident was to lodge a police report against Philip for her safety since the Unduk Ngadau competition was still on at that time and one Puan Alice had accompanied her to do the report.
According to the witness, Alice knew about the incident after communicating with Frenddy.
To another question, the witness said after the incident, she changed Philip’s name in her contact list from ‘Tuan Philip Among’ to ‘Hantu’.
The witness informed the court that she started a conversation with Philip via WhatsApp on May 16, 2021 and the purpose was because Philip was the one who asked her to participate in the photo shoot session and also covering the cost of the expenses.
During the identification parade, the witness said she was accompanied by Inspector Anuar and identified Philip during the process.
The witness also had identified Philip during the open court proceedings on Monday.
Trial continues today (Tuesday).
Philip who is on bail, was represented by counsel Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah and Azhier Farhan Arisin.
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