INDEPENDENT preacher Muhammad Fathi Na’im Mazlam, 33, was sentenced to 15 years in jail and three strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court today on three counts of raping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl four years ago.

Fathi Na’im was sentenced after he failed to raise reasonable doubt at the end of his defence case.

Judge Noridah Adam ordered the accused to serve the prison sentence starting today, after the court rejected the application for a stay of execution.

“The court is satisfied after hearing the testimony of the witnesses and the prosecution has successfully proven the case, therefore the accused is found guilty and convicted of all three charges,” said the judge.

During proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur ‘Ayuni Jamri proposed that the court impose a severe sentence taking into account public interest and the prevalence of sexual crimes against children.

However, Muhammad Fathi, who was not represented, appealed for a light sentence because he had to support three wives and eight children who were still in school.

Fathi was charged with two counts of raping a 13-year-old girl (at the time of the incident) between 3am and 7pm in a car at a carpark in Bandar Baru Puncak Alam in early July and on July 27, 2021.

The charge, under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, carries a maximum 20-year jail term and whipping upon conviction.

He was also charged with one count of sexual assault against the same victim in a car at the same location in June 2021.

The offence, under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping if convicted.

A total of six witnesses, including the victim, were called to testify in the trial at the prosecution level from September 2023 until January 22.

At the defence level, Muhammad Fathi was the sole witness in the proceedings which began on July 25. – September 18, 2025