Indecent exposure lands labourer in jail

Magistrate Saifulakmal Said today meted out 14 days' imprisonment, besides a RM3,000 fine to Mohd Ali Tampil who pleaded guilty to exposing himself to graphic designer Maxine Ng Mei Cheng, 23, at 7.40 pm on June 1.

The court also ordered Mohd Ali from Sabah, to serve another three months if he fails to settle the fine.

The charge under Section 509 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail term of five years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

According to the facts of the case, Ng was waiting for her cousin when Mohd Ali approached from behind and tap her shoulder, but she ignored him.

He tapped her shoulder again, prompting Ng to turn around, which was when she saw him grinning while exposing his genitals.

Shocked, the victim ran from the vicinity and members of the public who realised what had happened reacted and apprehended the culprit.

In mitigation, Mohd Ali who was unrepresented pleaded to be imposed a fine, attributing his action to emotional stress at his workplace. He also pleaded to the court for a "second chance" to turn over a new leaf.

However, deputy public prosecutor Raihanah Abd Razak urged the court to impose a custodial sentence and a fine, pointing to the trauma suffered by the victim.

"Emotional stress at the workplace is not an excuse for the accused to commit the act. Furthermore, he committed it in public; his action if seen by tourists could tarnish the image of the country," said Raihanah.