Ipoh is known for its awesome homestays, which is why this incident is very alarming to many who frequent these homestays!
According to the New Straits Times, a homestay owner was caught secretly filming his guests bathing naked three years ago on 27th July 2014.
The accused, 45-year-old Lim Lai Heng, pleaded guilty to strategically placing a CCTV camera in the homestay’s bathroom to secretly record women showering.
Lim is the owner of Ipoh Garden Homestay at No. 31, Jalan Pekeliling Tasek, Canning Garden and was charged three times for insulting the modesty of the eight people aged between 17 and 53.
The homestay owner was fined RM4,000 for the first and second charge and RM2,000 for the third charge that involved two victims.
According to The Star, DPP Nurul Azriah Zaid told the court that Lim pleading guilty should not lighten his sentence since it came too late and that a jail sentence should also be imposed on top of the fine. She said,
“The accused did not plead guilty at the first opportunity but two years and 10 months after.”
DPP Nurul then went on to say that the incident traumatised the victims involved. “One victim was especially traumatised. She was crying when the recording was shown in court during the trial,” she said, adding that Lim’s actions has caused fear among potential homestay customers, putting the industry in a bad light. She concluded that letting him off with a fine won’t be enough.
Lim’s lawyer, however, came in defense of his crime, telling the court that he was a first-time offender.
“It’s a silly, stupid mistake. Who hasn’t made a mistake?”
Either way, this homestay owner has been punished for his actions. Let’s hope he’s not allowed to run the homestay anymore in the future!
Also read: Perverted Academic Filmed Upskirt Videos of Over 71 Women, Gets 18 Weeks Jail