{
  "id": 9519352,
  "title": "85-year-old man fined RM4,000 for outraging girl’s modesty in lift",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/85-year-old-man-fined-rm4-000-for-outraging-girls-modesty-in-lift",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T07:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/24/85-year-old-man-fined-rm4-000-for-outraging-girl-s-modesty-in-lift"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An 85-year-old individual named Yong Lip Fook was fined RM4,000 by a court in George Town for an offense that involved the desecration of a 16-year-old girl's dignity in a lift in Air Itam, Penang. The court's verdict was delivered in Mandarin, as reported by Harian Metro. Yong had admitted guilt when the charge was read to him in court. The judge ordered Yong to serve a term of eight months in prison should he be unable to pay the fine. Yong's son paid the fine after magistrate Nadratun Naim Saidi delivered the sentence. The charge was laid under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which outlines penalties that can include imprisonment for up to 10 years, a fine, whipping, or any combination of these punishments upon conviction. The prosecution, represented by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Danial Amir Saad, argued for a suitable sentence, while Yong's defense lawyer, Sharmila Shanthini Mogan, requested leniency. Sharmila explained that Yong, who was not working and relied on his son, suffered from heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Additionally, she stated that Yong had cooperated with the authorities by attending court and had promised not to recommit the offense.",
  "summary": "Yong Lip Fook faced a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine, whipping, or any two of the punishments.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "85-year-old man fined RM4,000 for outraging girl’s modesty in lift",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/85-year-old-man-fined-rm4-000-for-outraging-girls-modesty-in-lift-9521611",
        "published": "2026-09-24T07:16:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}