A judge in the Kuching Sessions Court today handed down what is believed to be the stiffest penalty for attempted rape in Sarawak - a jail sentence of 45 years and nine strokes of rotan.

The accused was charged for attempting to rape his 14-year-old daughter at home on three separate occasions earlier this year.

The man, a grass-cutter and father of five children, pleaded guilty to all three charges of attempting rape in February, March and April this year in his own house.

He was not represented by a lawyer, while the prosecution was lead by chief inspector Mohd Noor Halazee Awang.

Judge: Accused a predator

In handing down her decision, judge Yew Jen Jie, sent the accused to gaol for 15 years plus three strokes of the rotan on each of the three charges, with the sentences to run consecutively.

She said public concern with the increasing number of rape cases in the last few years merited a severe sentence, even for attempted rape.

The judge described the accused as a predator and that the family should be protected from him, adding that the sentence must reflect the gravity of the offence and also to deter others.

If the victim had not plucked up enough courage to report to the police, the accused might probably have not been brought to court and punished.

The accused - whose name is being held back to protect the identity of the victim - showed remorse before sentencing and only pleaded for leniency, without giving any reasons.

He was charged under Section 376B to be read in conjunction with Section 511 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years and a minimum sentence of six years for rape.

PM expressed concern

A senior court reporter told malaysiakini that this was the most severe sentence ever handed down by court for attempted rape that he had known.

Local courts normally hand out the maximum sentence of 20 years for rape, he added.

Recently Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is concerned at the growing sex crimes, especially rapes and incest, has asked the media to highlight such cases to arouse public anger.

He also asked the authorities concerned to increase the penalties.