The Court of Appeal has made its decision regarding the case of Abidin Abdullah, a former tabligh (religious) teacher, who was convicted of seven counts of physical sexual assault on a Year Six student four years ago. The court has upheld his 15-year jail sentence and 14 strokes of the cane.
Presided over by Justice Hadhariah Syed Ismail, who was joined by Justices Azman Abdullah and Azmi Ariffin, the three-member panel dismissed Abidin's appeal and affirmed his conviction and sentence. The court emphasized that mature adults, especially teachers, should serve as positive role models for young students.
Abidin, 50 years old, was found guilty by the sessions court on October 11, 2021, for committing physical sexual assault on a 12-year-old boy in Shah Alam, Selangor, between September 21 and October 5, 2019. He was sentenced to 15 years in jail and two strokes of the rotan (a type of cane used for corporal punishment) for each charge.
The court ordered Abidin to serve his jail term concurrently from the date of his arrest on October 7, 2019. Therefore, he will spend a total of 15 years in prison but will still face the additional punishment of 14 strokes of the cane.
In addition to the jail sentence, Abidin was also ordered to undergo rehabilitation counseling for 10 years and police supervision for three years after completing his term in prison. These measures aim to support his rehabilitation and ensure public safety.
Abidin had previously appealed his sentence, but the High Court dismissed his appeal on August 12 of the previous year. In this latest appeal, his lawyer, Zaidan Daud, had requested a reduction in the jail sentence. However, Justice Azman mentioned the possibility of consecutive jail terms for each charge, which could lead to even more time behind bars for Abidin. After consulting his client, Zaidan withdrew the request.
Deputy public prosecutor Solehah Noratikah Ismail represented the prosecution in this case.
This case highlights the severity of the charges and the courts' commitment to ensuring justice for victims of sexual assault. The decision not only holds Abidin accountable for his actions but also serves as a reminder that those in positions of authority and trust should be held to a higher standard when it comes to protecting and respecting the welfare of children.
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