Zahari Alwi, the 56-year-old head of a Taman Seri Keramat, Kuala Lumpur welfare center, was found guilty on two charges pertaining to a child under his care by an Ampang Magistrate’s Court earlier today. He will serve one year, and three months for the offenses.
In December 2015, Zahari, who was sometimes referred to as ustaz (religious teacher), was alleged to have watched a 10-year-old girl using the bathroom, keeping the door open while he looked on. Police later discovered a pornographic video of the victim on the suspect’s laptop in January of the following year.
Local Malay-language outlet Harian Metro had previously reported that the charity center was in the middle of a maelstrom of sordid accusations. Many alleged that it was a “hell on Earth” for the impoverished students and orphans it claimed to serve. Instead, former attendees told the daily that rape, molestation, harassment, and unsolicited nude photo-taking were commonplace.
Finding him guilty on both counts, the judge sentenced the disgraced ustaz to 15 months imprisonment for harassing a child, and another 13 months prison for the pornographic video. Both sentences will be served simultaneously, after the suspect admitted guilt.
Zahari is reported to have appeared calm throughout the proceedings, with his two wives watching from the dock. Previously, his lawyer had argued for a more lenient sentence, telling the courts that his client had two wives to take care of.
This is not the suspect’s first brush with the law, under similar allegations: In February he plead not guilty to charges of rape, harassment, and possession of pornography. One of his wives also appeared in court earlier this year, pleading not guilty to charges of abetting the rate of two girls at the school.
Prosecutors tried to sway the court to mete out a tougher sentence, explaining that the young girl was “still traumatized and ashamed” over the incident, and that the accused had taken advantage of someone in a vulnerable position.
Asking for the maximum sentence of five years, many were disappointed to hear that the judge had decided on seemingly more lenient terms.
