PETALING JAYA: Eleven charges have been made against a well -known preacher, Ebit Lew under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which is to send obscene pictures and words with the intention of humiliating someone's honor through the WhatsaApp application.
Ebit Lew pleaded not guilty to 11 charges related to sexual harassment at the magistrate's court here.
Ebit, 37, was charged under Section 509 of the Penal Code for word or gesture intended to insult the modesty of a person and if convicted, the offender could be sentenced to a maximum five year imprisonment, slapped with a fine, or both.
The prosecution was conducted by Sabah state prosecution director Muhammad Ilmami Ahmad, who is assisted by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Azreen Yas Mohamad Ramli, while Ebit was represented by lawyer Mohamed Zairi Zainal Abidin.
Magistrate Nur Asyraf Zolhani set April 20 to April 23 for submission of documents, while Ebit was released on bail of RM1,000 for each charge and two sureties.
Confirming the matter, the Director of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department, Datuk Seri Abd. Jalil Hassan said, all the charges are for offenses allegedly committed in Tenom, Sabah between March to June last year against a woman.
He said if convicted, the accused could be sentenced to five years in prison or a fine or both.
"People are advised not to make any speculations and provocations to ensure the trial proceedings run smoothly," he said here today.
Earlier, the first reading proceedings of the sexual harassment case took place at the Tenom Court, Sabah.
"On Aug 7, 2021, police received a report against the preacher who allegedly engaged in sexual harassment by sending obscene images and messages to the complainants.
"Two other police reports were also lodged (against Ebit) for similar offence.
"In total, the police received three complaints, including two that were investigated under Section 509 of the Penal Code (for word or gesture intended to insult the modesty of a person), Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 (for insulting behaviour) and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 (for improper use of network facilities or network service).
