How PU Azman ended up with 24-year jail sentence for sexually assaulting minor
He will be serving his sentence at the Kajang Prison.
SHAH ALAM - Celebrity preacher Azman Syah Alias, better known as PU Azman has been sentenced to 24 years jail and two strokes of the cane by the Klang Sessions Court, today, after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy, two years ago.
It was reported that judge Noridah Adam meted out the sentence after finding that the defence failed to raise a reasonable doubt at the end of its case.
The court then sentenced him to 12 years jail and one stroke of the cane for each charge.
The sentences were ordered to run consecutively from today.
Besides imprisonment and whipping, Azman, 43, was also ordered to undergo counselling throughout his time in prison and will be under police supervision for two years after completing his sentence.
February and June 2022: When the assaults happened
The charges stemmed from two incidents against the victim that took place in a homestay in Kampung Sungai Udang, Klang.
According to the first charge, Azman had committed physical sexual assault on the 17-year-old boy at 12.15am on Feb 20, 2022.
On the second count, he had committed a similar offence at 1am on Feb 20, the same year.
The charges were framed under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which provides imprisonment not exceeding 20 years and whipping, if convicted.
Defence’s plea for leniency
Azman's lawyer, Mohamad Zahid Ahmad, pleaded for leniency, pointing out that his client had no prior criminal record and had contributed to the society as a preacher including providing motivation and Quranic classes, as well as teaching the youth, particularly to become literate in the Quran.
He said the accused who was divorced and has no children was the principal breadwinner for his family and also had to assist many families in need.
Zahid said Azman had also fully cooperated with the police and the court throughout the trial process.
After the court meted out its decision, the lawyer applied for a stay of execution pending an appeal against conviction and sentence, which was dismissed by the judge.
Zahid later confirmed that the defence would file a notice of appeal at the High Court soon.
Prosecution’s call for deterrence
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul 'Izzati Mohamad urged the court to impose a severe sentence, highlighting the rise in sexual offences against children, particularly in Selangor.
She said the law was designed to protect children and that a harsh penalty would serve as a deterrent.
‘Izzati also pointed out that Azman had violated the trust of the victim and his family, a betrayal made worse by his status as a religious teacher and a former winner of the "Pencetus Ummah" Islamic reality show.
Victim impact statement
'Izzati presented the victim's impact statement to the court before it was read by the interpreter.
In the statement, the victim, whose identity remained protected, shared that the assaults by Azman had permanently changed his life.
The victim said he now suffered from prolonged trauma and experienced both physical and emotional harm after the "dark" incidents.
Meanwhile, Azman will be serving his sentence at the Kajang Prison.
He is also facing nine more charges related to sexual crimes, namely five charges in the Seremban Sessions Court, two cases in the Shah Alam Sessions Court and one case each in the Klang Magistrate's Court and the Ampang Sessions Court.
