‘Do not abuse your popularity’: Judge delivers warning after preacher Da’i Syed beats rape charge in split decision

In a recent ruling, the Court of Appeal acquitted celebrity preacher Da'i Syed, real name Syed Shah Iqmal Syed Mohd Shaiful, of a 2019 rape charge in a 2-1 majority decision.

Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah, who chaired the panel, advised Syed not to misuse his popularity or exploit emotionally vulnerable individuals, as such actions could damage the reputation of those with a religious image.

The decision overturned a previous sentence of 10 years' imprisonment and three strokes of the cane imposed by a lower court.

Syed and his wife were visibly emotional upon hearing the verdict.

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 4 — A Court of Appeal judge has advised celebrity preacher Da’I Syed, whose real name is Syed Shah Iqmal Syed Mohd Shaiful, not to abuse his popularity or take advantage of vulnerable individuals.

Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah, who chaired a three-member panel, said exploiting individuals who were emotionally vulnerable could tarnish the reputation of those who projected a religious image.

“I would like to offer some advice to the appellant. This advice is not directed solely at you. We often come across cases involving rape, sodomy and similar offences occurring at pondok (religious) schools, allegedly committed by teachers...this reflects poorly on society,” he said.

Syed Shah Iqmal, 31, who was standing in the dock, was seen nodding as he listened to the judge’s remarks.

Earlier, in a 2-1 majority decision, Judges Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid acquitted and discharged Syed Shah Iqmal of a charge of raping a woman in 2019, while the third panel member, Judge Datuk Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid, dissented and would have upheld the conviction and sentence meted out by the lower court.

The panel made the decision after allowing Syed Shah Iqmal’s final appeal against his conviction and sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane, imposed by the Shah Alam Sessions Court.

After Judge Azman delivered the majority decision, Syed Shah Iqmal was seen weeping in the dock, while his wife, Hana Ismail, who was seated in the public gallery, was also seen crying.

On Dec 10, 2020, Syed Shah Iqmal pleaded not guilty to raping a 23-year-old woman at a condominium unit in I-City, Section 7, here, at about 1.35 am on Sept 11, 2019.

The charge was framed under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

On April 10, 2023, the Shah Alam Sessions Court acquitted and discharged him of the charge after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case at the close of its case.

However, the Shah Alam High Court subsequently allowed the prosecution’s appeal and ordered Syed Shah Iqmal to enter his defence. — Bernama

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在最近的一项裁决中，上诉法院以 2 比 1 的多数票宣判著名传教士 Da'i Syed（真名 Syed Shah Iqmal Syed Mohd Shaiful）在 2019 年的强奸指控无罪。

担任审判长阿兹曼·阿卜杜拉法官告诫赛义德不要滥用自己的影响力或利用情感脆弱的人，因为这种行为可能会损害具有宗教形象的人的声誉。

该判决推翻了下级法院此前判处的 10 年监禁和三下鞭刑。

听到判决结果，赛义德和他的妻子情绪明显激动。

布城，11月4日讯——一名上诉法院法官告诫著名传教士Da'I Syed（真名Syed Shah Iqmal Syed Mohd Shaiful），不要滥用其名气或利用弱势群体。

担任三人小组主席的法官拿督阿兹曼·阿卜杜拉表示，利用情感脆弱的人可能会损害那些标榜宗教形象的人的声誉。

“我想给上诉人提一些建议。这些建议并非只针对你个人。我们经常遇到在宗教学校发生的强奸、鸡奸和类似罪行，据称是由教师所为……这给社会带来了负面影响，”他说。

31岁的赛义德·沙阿·伊克马尔站在被告席上，听着法官的讲话，不时点头。

此前，在 2 比 1 的多数裁决中，法官 Datuk Azman Abdullah 和 Datuk Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid 宣告 Syed Shah Iqmal 无罪释放，免除了其在 2019 年强奸一名妇女的指控，而第三名法官 Datuk Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid 则持不同意见，认为应维持下级法院的定罪和判决。

在允许赛义德·沙阿·伊克马尔就沙阿南地方法院判处的 10 年监禁和三下鞭刑提出最终上诉后，委员会做出了这一决定。

阿兹曼法官宣读多数判决后，赛义德·沙阿·伊克马尔在被告席上哭泣，而坐在旁听席上的妻子哈娜·伊斯梅尔也流下了眼泪。

2020 年 12 月 10 日，赛义德·沙阿·伊克马尔否认于 2019 年 9 月 11 日凌晨 1 点 35 分左右在 I-City 第 7 区的一间公寓内强奸了一名 23 岁女子。

该指控依据《刑法》第 376(1) 条提出，该条规定，定罪后最高可判处 20 年监禁和鞭刑。

2023年4月10日，沙阿南地方法院裁定控方在举证完毕后未能确立初步证据，因此宣告被告无罪并解除对其的指控。

然而，莎阿南高等法院随后准许了控方的上诉，并命令赛义德·沙·伊克马尔出庭辩护。——马新社

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