Stalking victim tells court she lived in fear for safety

SHAH ALAM: The victim in a stalking case said that she lived in fear for her health and safety

Photographer and graphic artist Acacia Mardiana Daud said in her testimony over Zoom that being stalked had also adversely affected her future.

"I underwent terrible trauma and feared for my health and safety. I dared not go out until it affected my work and daily activities and spoiled my future. I lived in fear," testified the 31-year-old Acacia Mardiana before magistrate Sasha Diana Sabtu.

In the dock was Mohamad Safiq Rosli, 37; he is the first person in the country to be charged under the newly crafted Section 507A of the Penal Code which came into effect last year.

The anti-stalking law provides a jail term of not more than three years or a fine or both.

Mohamad Safiq is accused of stalking Acacia Mardiana on her social media platform X handle @ShaFoShizzie through his handle @sopert99.

Police reports revolving around three love messages sent by the accused to the victim on June 15, 17 and 21 were tendered as evidence.

In the three messages Mohamad Safiq declares his love and care for Acacia Mardiana.

Mohamad Safiq had pleaded not guilty when charged last Aug but changed his plea to guilty on Dec 15.

He has to go through today's one day trial as the prosecution had said it would want its objection recorded if Mohamad Shafiq was sentenced without a full trial.

The prosecution had added it did not want the accused's admission of guilt to enable him to use insanity as a defence under Section 347 of the Criminal Procedure Code to escape imprisonment and fine.