KUALA LUMPUR: A heavier punishment should be imposed on a man who took explicit photos and videos of his 15-year-old stepdaughter, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic).
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said she hopes an appeal can be made to reverse the lenient punishment.
The 56-year-old man was fined RM6,000 by the Muar Sessions Court after he pleaded guilty recently to recording and possessing videos and photos of his stepdaughter in the shower.
“A heavier punishment should be imposed on him as his behaviour and act of recording her are despicable. As a stepfather who should be the protector of his family members, he has behaved this way instead,” Nancy said.
She said the offence under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
“I don’t think I am alone in my view that the punishment is lenient for such a heinous offence. We must not tolerate any form of exploitation or sexual harassment of children.
“A stricter punishment is not only to give justice to the victim, but a lesson and reminder to the community that action will be taken. It is to show that this kind of crime will not be accepted under any circumstances,” she said.
The court decision has sparked public outrage and calls for stricter penalties in cases of child sexual exploitation.
The victim discovered the recordings while clearing her stepfather’s e-mail storage and lodged a police report last week.
The offence was committed between Sept 17 and Dec 21 last year.
