news

Man Fined RM1,200 After Persistently Stalking Former Miss Universe Malaysia For 8 Years

He stalked her whereabouts and even threatened to splash acid on her face.

Cover image via @sabby_bee (Instagram) & New Straits Times

Former Miss Universe Malaysia Sabrina Beneett recently took to social media to share her experience of being stalked by the same man over the past few years

In an interview with Fly FM, Sabrina explained that an acquaintance had been harassing her since 2013.

Initially, he would send her hundreds of messages online and profess his love. This quickly escalated to a point where he would stalk her whereabouts and even threaten to splash acid on her face.

She filed two police reports but no further action was taken due to the fact that he had not committed any form of physical assault or harm onto her person.

Sabrina Beneett during the Miss Universe Preliminary Show in Miami, Florida, on 21 January 2015.

Image via Miss Universe Organization/AvaxNews

Finally, the Jalan Duta Magistrate Court fined the 33-year-old perpetrator for insulting the modesty of the victim

Brickfields district police chief ACP Anuar Omar told Malay Mail that the offender pleaded guilty and paid a fine of RM1,200 on the spot.

"He was charged under Section 509 of the Penal Code for insulting the modesty of a person, which carries a maximum five years' jail, or a fine or both, upon conviction. The offender paid the fine yesterday morning, 20 January, at the Jalan Duta court after pleading guilty," he explained.

Sabrina said that it was not the outcome she had hoped for

Today, she wrote on Instagram, "Over the weekend my stalker/harasser was remanded for investigation and has been charged in court. After pleading guilty, he was asked to pay a fine of RM1,200 and allowed to walk. It is not the outcome I had hoped for."

In the same post, she thanked MP Kasthuri Patto for relentlessly pursuing the anti-stalking bill, as well as senior law enforcement officers, lawyers, fans, and friends who brought awareness to her story, and the police for keeping her informed throughout the process.

"Not forgetting the many unnamed heroes that have gone out of their way to fight this fight with me, and for me, only so that I can stop living in fear. I see your efforts," she added.

"Will I sleep soundly tonight? No. Will I accept this as the justice for the eight years I have endured? No. Will I continue to seek justice? Yes. This is only a single step towards my journey of seeking the justice I deserve. The process towards legislative change is one that is long and arduous."

These Malaysian organisations aim to help survivors of rape and sexual assault:

1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-79563488
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter

2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9.30am - 4.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6082-422660
SMS/WhatsApp: +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 2pm)
Contact: +6088-280200
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter

6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (8.30am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6016-2273065 | +6016-7213065
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.

Read more recent trending news on SAYS:

You may be interested in: