May 22, 2026
World
World
MECCA, May 22 — More than one million Muslims are converging on Mecca for the haj pilgrimage, as regional tensions in the Middle East and a fragile ceasefire cast a shadow over the event.
KUCHING — A 21-year-old phone salesman, Bong Chou Swee, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and six strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court after pleading guilty to raping his 15-year-old girlfriend.
Judge Musli Ab Hamid passed the sentence under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code for statutory rape. In addition to jail time and caning, Bong was ordered to undergo rehabilitative counselling while incarcerated and will face two years of police supervision upon his release.
The court heard that the incident occurred between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM on May 11 in an apartment here. Bong and the victim had been in a relationship since April, having first met in August 2024. On the night of May 10, the teenager sneaked Bong into her apartment, where they later engaged in consensual intercourse for the first time.
The situation came to light the following morning when the victim’s mother went to wake her up for school and discovered a naked Bong hiding behind a door. Suspecting her daughter had been assaulted, the mother filed a police report, which led to Bong's arrest.
Medical examinations later confirmed old hymenal tears consistent with blunt force penetration. The victim, who reported bodily pain and bleeding during urination, stated she had not been sexually active with anyone else.
Bong was unrepresented during the proceedings, which were investigated by Inspector Nur Ain Wong.
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> **Support Services:**
> If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, free and confidential support is available:
> * **Talian Kasih:** 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7)
> * **Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO):** 03-30008858 or WhatsApp TINA 018-9888058 (24/7)
> * **All Women’s Action Society (AWAM):** 016-2374221 / 016-2284221 (9:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
