'Officer molested me'
Woman caught for khalwat claims M'sian religious department officer forced her to have oral sex
THE 22-year-old woman had been caught for khalwat, or close proximity, in Selangor last week.
NP, 12 August 2006
THE 22-year-old woman had been caught for khalwat, or close proximity, in Selangor last week.
The production operator was asked to turn up at the Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jais) office on 1 Aug, reported Malaysian newspapers.
The woman claimed that when she went to the office, Jais enforcement officer Muhamad Hafiz Kanimon (left), 21, molested her and forced her to perform oral sex in exchange for being let off the hook.
On Wednesday, Muhamad Hafiz was charged with forcing the woman to perform oral sex, and with using criminal force to outrage her modesty by caressing her breasts and kissing her on the lips.
The Malay Mail reported that Muhamad Hafiz could not hold back his tears when he appeared in court.
And he could hardly be heard as he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He faces a maximum 30-year jail term and whipping if convicted.
He was recruited as an officer on a contract basis by the department two months ago.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Asyraf Md Kamal objected to bail, saying that the offences were serious.
He told the court: 'The accused took advantage of the situation when the victim went to his office after being arrested for khalwat.'
He added that if the accused was released on bail, he might harass the victim or the witnesses.
But Muhamad Hafiz's lawyer urged the court to grant bail as the accused is supporting his parents.
He said: 'My client is the fifth child of 11 siblings and has been working with Jais for two months. The possibility of him tampering with witnesses is low as he did not know the victim before the incident.'
He also pleaded for a lower bail, saying that the family could only afford RM5,000.
Judge Noradidah Ahmad granted Muhamad Hafiz bail of RM8,000 ($3,430) in one surety.
She ordered him to report to the nearest police station once a month. The trial will start on 22 Jan. Bail was not posted.
