THE Kuala Lumpur High Court has imposed a heavier sentence on a Bangladeshi construction worker convicted of molesting five women at several LRT and MRT stations around the capital, ruling that the offences warranted stronger punishment due to the repeated nature of the attacks in crowded public spaces.
Judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin sentenced Md Romjan Ali, 41, to 18 months in prison and one stroke of the cane after reviewing decisions previously handed down by four Magistrates’ Courts on May 6.
The court set aside the earlier penalties, which included six months’ imprisonment and fines amounting to RM14,500, and replaced them with a consolidated sentence covering all five offences.
“For all five cases, the court will impose one global sentence. The punishment imposed by the Magistrates’ Court is set aside and replaced with 18 months’ imprisonment from the date of arrest on April 27.
“The accused is also ordered to receive one stroke of the cane for one of the offences,” Aslam said.
Md Romjan had earlier pleaded guilty to using criminal force with intent to outrage the modesty of a German woman and four Malaysian women aged between 21 and 28.
The offences were committed between April 10 and April 25 at several locations, including the pedestrian walkway at Chan Sow Lin LRT Station, inside train coaches, escalator areas at Maluri MRT Station and on a train travelling from Taman Midah MRT Station to Muzium Negara MRT Station.
The charges were framed under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, whipping, or any combination of the punishments upon conviction.
During mitigation proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Faridah Nurdinie Bahrum urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, arguing that molestation in public transport settings was a serious offence that endangered the safety and confidence of commuters.
“The offences committed, namely molestation in public places, are unacceptable acts. Actions such as hugging, touching and groping victims are not normal behaviour because a normal person would not behave in such a manner.
“If we look at the charges, the accused committed the acts at different locations and times, while the LRT and MRT stations were crowded with members of the public using the services,” she said, while also requesting a deportation order after the completion of the sentence.
Counsel Datuk Dr Mohd Radzuan Ibrahim, representing Md Romjan, appealed for leniency and requested that his client be deported to Bangladesh after serving his sentence, stating that family members were prepared to bear all related costs.
“The accused’s brother, who is present in court today, confirmed that his sibling is facing emotional difficulties and they are in the process of sending him home for treatment in his country.
“In terms of the fine, we ask that it be replaced with a concurrent prison sentence because the accused is unable to pay. For the court’s information, his work permit remains valid until February 2027,” the lawyer said.
The ruling comes amid heightened public concern over harassment and safety on public transport networks in Kuala Lumpur, particularly involving female commuters travelling during peak hours and late evenings. - May 13, 2026
