AN elderly man was sentenced to three years in prison by the Sessions Court in Kuala Terengganu after admitting to sexually assaulting two children in an incident that took place last December.
Judge Mohd Zul Zakiqudin Zulkifli imposed the sentence after the accused, Mat Rani Kassim, 76, pleaded guilty to two separate charges when they were read out to him.
According to the first charge, Mat Rani committed physical sexual assault against a 10-year-old child at a vacant house in Kampung Merbau Pulas, Ajil, between about 11am and noon on 24 December.
The offence was framed under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Under the second charge, the accused was alleged to have committed physical sexual assault against an 11-year-old child at the same location and within the same time frame on the same day.
This offence was also charged under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
For each charge, the law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
The judge sentenced Mat Rani to three years’ imprisonment for each offence, ordering that the sentences be served concurrently.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Nabihah Hanim Ayim, while the accused was represented by Abdul Hayyi Salim from the National Legal Aid Foundation. - December 30, 2025
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