In a disturbing incident, three men have been apprehended in Sandakan, Malaysia, on suspicion of engaging in unnatural sex with a 14-year-old teenager. The arrests were made following a police report lodged by the victim, who sought medical treatment at the Duchess of Kent Hospital.
According to Sandakan acting district police chief, Superintendent Ramasamy Kuppan, the victim, a student at a local secondary school, had befriended the three men on social media. The suspects, aged between 29 and 34, allegedly paid the teenager to engage in unnatural intercourse.
An investigation was launched under Section 377B of the Penal Code, which prohibits sexual intercourse against the order of nature. The trio was subsequently arrested and charged in the Sandakan Sessions Court on October 7.
Two of the suspects, Saharuddin Amirullah, 32, and Ryan Caballero, 34, pleaded guilty to the charges. Amirullah was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and one stroke of the cane under Section 377B of the Penal Code. Caballero, a Filipino national, was also sentenced to five years in prison and one stroke of cane under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017. Additionally, he was ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department after serving his sentence.
The third suspect, Mohd Zairi Awang, 29, pleaded not guilty to the charges and his case has been scheduled for mention on November 11.
This incident highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly children, from exploitation and abuse. The swift action taken by the authorities demonstrates their commitment to upholding the law and ensuring justice is served.
It is essential for parents, educators, and the community to be vigilant and educate children about the dangers of online interactions and the importance of seeking help if they are approached by individuals with malicious intentions. The authorities must also continue to work tirelessly to prevent such incidents and provide support to victims of abuse.
The case serves as a reminder of the need for a collective effort to create a safe and protective environment for all individuals, particularly children, and to ensure that those who commit such heinous crimes are held accountable for their actions.
