Ebit Lew trial: Witness denies flirting, having relationship with preacher

TENOM: The ninth witness in the sexual harassment case involving Ebit Irawan Ibrahim Lew or Ebit Lew, told the Magistrate's Court here that she never flirted or had any relationship with the preacher.

The woman, who was in her 40s, said that she reached out to Ebit Lew solely to address family matters.

The witness testified that the accused would offer compliments before sending explicit messages and requested her to send photographs.

"I never even contemplated entering a relationship with Ebit (Lew), let alone for sexual purposes. I kept responding to his messages until I acceded to his request for my photograph," she said during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Zahida Zakaria.

The witness also noted that she faced criticism after filing a police report against Ebit Lew, with some accusing her of defaming the accused.

"I had no motive and no intention to defame him. The truth is, his actions (sexual harassment) are undeniable, and there are numerous other victims, as he confessed to me on July 29, 2021," said the witness, who also positively identified the accused.

The woman testified that from March to June 2021, in addition to receiving lewd messages, Ebit Lew also contacted her via calls on the WhatsApp application, video calls and messages on Instagram.

Ebit Lew, 38, faces 11 charges, including outraging the modesty of a woman in her 40s by sending obscene words and images to the victim's phone number via the WhatsApp application between March and June 2021. – Bernama