Ex-Preacher Cries After Rape Conviction Appeal Fails, Seeks Delay of Jail Term as Wife Has Just Given Birth

“The court found that there was no error in the decision made by the Sessions Court judge. The sentence imposed is reasonable and proportionate to the offence committed. Therefore, the sentence is upheld and takes effect from today (23 January).”

Previously, it was reported that on 10 December, 2020, Syed pleaded not guilty to raping a 23-year-old woman in a condominium unit at I-City, Section 7, at about 1:35 AM on 11 September, 2019. Syed was out on temporary release from 20 September, 2024, pending the completion of the High Court appeal proceedings.

Represented by defence counsel Mohamed Baharudeen Mohamed Ariff, Syed requested that the sentence be postponed, citing that his wife had given birth three months earlier and that their child was still young. However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Maizatul Munirah Abdul Rahman argued that the reasons advanced by the appellant were insufficient to warrant a suspension of the sentence, according to Berita Harian.

The court rejected the application, ruling that the offence was serious and had caused significant impact on the victim.