Deaf-mute Korean pastor charged with molesting disabled men

Policemen escorting Korean pastor Jee Jon Hoon out of the Magistrate court in Butterworth, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

BUTTERWORTH: The lack of an international sign language interpreter led to a no plea being recorded when a 54-year-old deaf and mute Korean pastor was charged with two counts of outraging the modesty of two men at a Magistrate court here.

Magistrate M. Kalaiarasi postponed the case to allow Jee Jon Hoon, to be read the charges again in international sign language to reinterpret Jee's charge and record a plea.

Jee was charged with forcefully kissing, hugging and groping the private parts of a man, then 21, with criminal force at 12.20am in a room at Jee's apartment in Kampung Paya in Butterworth on Oct 13, 2013.

Jee was also charged with a second count of outraging the modesty of another man, then 24, by forcefully kissing and groping his private parts with the intent to molest at the same location in July 2017 at 11pm.

Both the charges under Section 354 of the Penal Code provides for an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine, caning, or any two of such punishments.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Azlin Zeti Zainal Abidin prosecuted while G. Shanmugam represented Jee.

Kalaiarasi set Jan 18 next year for case mention to have Jee read the charges in international sign language with an interpreter provided by the Palace of Justice.

It was reported that the pastor was detained on suspicion of molesting disabled people.

Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed said six police reports – five in Penang and one in Selangor – were lodged against the suspect.

"The suspect was initially detained on Nov 23 and remanded until Nov 30.

"He was placed under quarantine until Dec 8, as he had close contact with a detainee who tested positive for Covid-19.

"He was rearrested and remanded until Friday (Dec 18).

"The victims consisted of five men, aged between 27 and 40, who were disabled and members of a deaf association.

"The suspect came to Malaysia based on the invitation of the deaf association's founder to teach the Bible since 1998," he said.