GEORGE TOWN: A 50-year-old man pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court today to a charge of committing incest with his underage daughter and getting her pregnant.
He faces up to 30 years in jail, and whipping, if he is found guilty of the offence.
The man, clad in a T-shirt and jeans, was brought before judge Irwan Suaibon this morning for the charge.
He appeared calm as the charge sheet was read out to him.
According to the charge sheet, he was accused for committing the offence with his 15-year-old daughter between 11.45pm on Dec 20 and 12.30am on Dec 21 at an apartment unit in Air Itam.
The charge under Section 376 (3) of the Penal Code provides a maximum of 30 years in jail and 10 strokes of the cane if found guilty.
He nodded indicating that he understood the charge. However, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The case was prosecuted by deputy public prosecutor Farah Aimy Zainul Anwar while the man was not represented.
Farah told the court that the accused should not be allowed on bail due to the nature of the offence.
The judge agreed and the man was told to appoint a lawyer. The judge fixed Jan 29 for mention pending the completion of a chemical report.
The man was arrested on Saturday after the girl was found to be six months pregnant. She admitted to her mother that she had sex with her father.
The victim, a school dropout, is the second child of his three children.