JOHOR BARU: Two men pleaded guilty in the Sessions and Magistrate's Courts here to charges of possessing child sexual abuse material and obscene content in December last year.
Self-employed Lim Xin Yi, 31, and e-hailing driver Goh Kien Yoong, 37, were charged separately in the courts on Friday (Jan 17).
In the Sessions Court, Lim faced two charges for possessing 2,172 photographs and 400 videos of child sexual abuse material on two different computers.
He committed the offences at a house along Jalan Hang Lekir 18, Taman Skudai Baru, at 10.30pm on Dec 23, 2024.
Goh was charged with possessing 211 photographs of child sexual abuse material on a laptop at a location along Jalan Indah 26/7, Taman Bukit Indah 2 in Iskandar Puteri, at about 9pm on the same day.
Both men were charged under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
Lim and Goh pleaded guilty to the charges read in Mandarin before Sessions Court judge Datuk Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim.
The judge set Feb 13 for the presentation of case facts and sentencing.
Che Wan Zaidi also granted bail at RM10,000 for each charge. Both men were ordered to report to the nearest police station monthly and surrender their passports to the court.
In the Magistrate's Court, Lim pleaded guilty to keeping obscene pictures and videos under Section 292(a) of the Penal Code.
The offence, committed at the same time and location, carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Magistrate A. Shaarmini fined Lim RM5,000, with a default sentence of five months’ imprisonment.
In a separate Magistrate's Court, Goh also pleaded guilty to possessing obscene pictures and videos on a mobile phone under the same Penal Code provision.
Magistrate Hidayatul Syuhada Shamsudin imposed a fine of RM5,000, in default of 12 months' imprisonment.
Deputy public prosecutors Nur Farah Wahida Shahudin, Nur Fatihah Mohd Nizam, and R. Nevina prosecuted the cases.
Goh was represented by National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Heng Wang Qianwei, while Lim had no legal representation.