KUALA LUMPUR – An independent preacher has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and three strokes of the cane after being convicted of raping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2021.
The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today found Fathi Na’im Mazlam, 33, guilty on two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against the teenager.
Judge Noridah Adam ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and dismissed Ustaz Fathi Naim’s attempt to postpone the jail term.
“After hearing arguments from both sides, the court is satisfied with the evidence given. The accused is found guilty and convicted of all three charges,” she said, according to Bernama.
The offences took place at the Dataran Eco World parking lot in Bandar Baru Puncak Alam, Kuala Selangor. Prosecutors said Fathi raped the girl in early July at 3pm and again on July 27, 2021 at 7pm, and had sexually assaulted her at the same location a month earlier.
The rape charges were brought under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping.
The sexual assault charge was under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which also carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail and whipping.
During mitigation, Fathi – who represented himself – pleaded for leniency, telling the court he had three wives and eight school-going children. But deputy public prosecutor Nur ‘Ayuni Jamri urged the court to impose a severe sentence, citing the seriousness of sexual crimes against children and the need to protect public interest.
The trial, which began in September 2023 and concluded in January this year, heard testimony from six prosecution witnesses, including the victim. Fathi, who was the sole defence witness, failed to convince the court that there was reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case.
Fathi was taken to prison immediately after sentencing to begin serving his term. — September 18, 2025