SHAH ALAM: Former celebrity preacher Azman Syah Alias (pic) has been jailed for another six years after he admitted to the latest charge of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy seven years ago.
Judge Rasyihah Ghazali ordered the 43-year-old, better known as PU Azman, to serve his sentence at Kajang Prison starting yesterday.
Earlier this month and in September, Azman Syah had been ordered to serve a total of over 32 years in jail after he was convicted by several courts for sexually assaulting a few teenage boys.
Yesterday, Azman Syah was also mandated to undergo counselling during his incarceration.
The court ruled that he would remain under police supervision for two years following the completion of his sentence.
During the same proceedings, the court held that the second charge against the actor from the drama 7 Hari Mencintaiku Musim Ketiga was taken into consideration in the sentence.
Azman Syah admitted to having sexually assaulted the teenager at a homestay in Jalan Kebun, from midnight to 2am and 5.30am in September 2017.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and caning, upon conviction, Bernama reported.
According to the facts of the case, Azman Syah had sexually assaulted the boy after inviting him to spend the night at a homestay rented by him in Jalan Kebun.
However, the teenager, who is also the complainant, did not tell anyone about the incident for fear of not being believed.
Azman Syah’s lawyer, Fahmi Adilah, asked for a minimum sentence as his client is currently serving a prison sentence in Kajang.
“The accused is a former celebrity preacher who had no prior criminal offences before his arrest. His guilty plea stems from remorse and regret.
“Since Sept 27, the accused has been serving his sentence and actively participating in religious programmes that benefit other inmates and prison staffers, reflecting his repentance,” said Fahmi.
However, deputy public prosecutor Rasyidah Murni Adzmi urged the court to impose a sentence that serves as a deterrent.
“Regardless of the mitigation presented, as a celebrity preacher, the accused’s actions were unacceptable, especially against children. The sentence should teach the accused a lesson and serve as a wake-up call to society,” she said during the proceedings, which was also attended by DPP S. Ruthra Raj.
Earlier this month and in September, Azman Syah was sentenced for multiple convictions of physical sexual assault.
On Dec 17, the Seremban Sessions Court sentenced him to seven years in prison and ordered him to be given two strokes of the cane for four amended charges of committing physical sexual assault against two teenage boys two years ago.
Judge Surita Budin also ordered him to undergo counselling and remain under police supervision for two years after completing the sentence.
On Dec 6, the Klang Magistrate’s Court sentenced Azman Syah to 14 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to committing an obscene act against an 18-year-old boy two years ago.
On Sept 27, 2024, the Klang Sessions Court sentenced him to serve 24 years in prison and to be given two strokes of the cane after finding him guilty of two charges of committing physical sexual assault on a 17-year-old boy.
