KUALA TERENGGANU: A widow who known as the ‘otai prostitute’ became the fourth offender in the state to receive the rotan under the state Syariah law.
The Terengganu Syariah High Court imposed the sentence after she pleaded guilty to the charge of preparing herself for the act of prostitution, today.
Syarie judge, Kamalruazmi Ismail in his judgment also ordered the 45-year-old woman in addition to the four strokes of rotan to undergo a six-month rehabilitation at the Baitul Ehsan Women’s Protection Centre in Sabak Bernam, Selangor, from today.
He also ordered the rotan to be carried out at the Kajang Women’s Prison, Selangor.
She has 14 days to file an appeal against the rotan sentence.
Kamalruazmi in his judgment said the decision to send the woman to the rehabilitation centre was based on the accused’s plea as well as her readiness to repent.
As such, he imposed additional penalty under Section 68 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment 2001 that enabled her to undergo rehabilitation.
The media previously reported that a woman from Johor was charged under Section 25 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment 2001, for committing a preparatory act to prostitute herself.
For the offence, the accused who promoted her sexual services through the WeChat app previously, could be fined not more than RM5,000 or imprisonment of not more than three years or receive six strokes if convicted.
According to the charge, the suspect, now residing in Klang, Selangor, was arrested in a raid at a resort in the city, with a man believed to be her client, at about 11pm, on September 19.
Investigation showed the accused solicited a charged of RM1,000 for one night from her client. Several items were seized including several bottles of oil, lubricants and unused condoms in the raid.
The prosecution was handled by Syarie Prosecutor Mohd Kahzmizan Abdullah, while the accused was represented by counsel Fazru Anuar Yusof.