KOTA KINABALU: A politician from Sabah STAR is expected to be charged on Thursday for allegedly molesting an Unduk Ngadau pageant contestant last month.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali on Wednesday confirmed that the suspect would be charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code with using criminal force to outrage the modesty of a woman.
“We do not rule out that more than one charge could be filed against him,” he said.
Counsel Marcel Jude Joseph, who was one of the lawyers representing the suspect, also confirmed that his client will be charged on Thursday.
In a WhatsApp message, Marcel also said that the case involving the suspect is expected to start at 9am.
However, he did not mention anything whether the case will be heard virtually or his client be brought to court.
Also representing the suspect is counsel Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah.
Police have completed their investigations into the case and would hand over the investigation papers to the Attorney General’s office here for further action.
The Unduk Ngadau contestant reported to police on May 21 that the politician had groped her inside his car on May 19 after a photo shoot in Asia City here.
On June 3, the suspect called a press conference at his office in Asia City to deny the allegations and said he was suing the contestant.
He was arrested by police shortly after the press conference and his seven-day remand expires today.
Police have also recorded a statement from an Australian videographer who worked for the suspect during the Unduk Ngadau pageant.
Sabah STAR has also suspended the suspect.