Man Accused Of Stalking Acacia For 8 Years & Forcing Her To Leave M'sia Charged In Court
37-year-old Mohd Safiq Rosli is the first-ever individual to be charged under Malaysia's new anti-stalking law.
By Sadho Ram — 10 Aug 2023, 02:48 PM
Earlier today, 10 August, 37-year-old Mohd Safiq Rosli was charged under the newly enacted Section 507A of the Penal Code for stalking
He has now become the first-ever individual to be charged under the new law that came into effect earlier this year. He pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Sasha Diana Sabtu at the Shah Alam Magistrate Court.
He was brought to the courtroom in handcuffs, wearing a green long-sleeved shirt and a black face mask.
Mohd Safiq, a former freelance designer, is accused of stalking and sexually harassing UK-based Malaysian photographer Acacia Diana, who recently shared her harrowing experience on social media.
The magistrate also ordered Mohd Safiq to undergo a mental evaluation, and bail will be determined based on the results of the evaluation
Magistrate Sasha issued the order following a request from deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Zilfinaz Abbas.
The DPP applied for the accused to be sent to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Tanjung Rambutan, Perakfor observation under its forensic psychiatric unit, according to a report in The Star.
Although Mohd Safiq has been charged with a bailable offence under Section 507A(1) of the Penal Code and subjected to punishment under Section 507A(3) of the Penal Code, Zilfinaz filed an application to deny bail. The application was not contested by Fithril Hakim Ab Jail, the lawyer representing the accused.
He faces imprisonment of up to three years or a fine or both, if convicted.
Meanwhile, lawyer Jason Wee, who held a watching brief for the victim, made an ex-parte application under Section 98A of the Criminal Procedure Code. The application sought a protection order for his client against the accused.
Wee requested that this order be granted to prevent further harassment and address safety concerns stemming from the accused's actions, whereby he flew to the UK to continue allegedly stalking the victim.
The lawyer urged the court to impose restrictions on the accused to prevent him from approaching or communicating with the victim in any manner until the conclusion of this case.
Magistrate Sasha granted the request.
"The court also approves the protection order for the victim," she said and fixed 7 September for mention.
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am - 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm - 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am - 11.30am), Saturday (2pm - 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm - 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
