I AM concerned about the message the two recent court decisions on statutory rape is sending to the public.
The Sessions Court, in the case of Chuah Guan Jiu, had little choice but to follow the sentence meted out by the Court of Appeal in the case of national bowler Nor Afizal Azizan.
The public can see clearly whether the reasons given by the two courts for the sentencing are unreasonable and unacceptable, or otherwise.
We can also see from the decisions whether the two courts paid importance to the interests and welfare of the two minor victims or that of the accused(s).
It is of paramount importance and in the interests of the public to protect and safeguard the victims, especially the minors, and not the perpetrators.
It is a known and acceptable fact that courts will generally impose a deterrent sentence on sexual assault cases involving minors.
I hope non-governmental organisations and pressure groups will assert sufficient pressure on the attorney-general to appeal against the decisions of the two cases so that justice will not only be done, but also seen to be done.
S.T. Raj, Klang, Selangor Source: The New Straits Times Letters to the Editors 31 August 2012
