M'sia man, 63, fined S$764 after touching & pinching woman's cheek in Perak

A 63-year-old man in Malaysia was sentenced to a fine of RM2,500 (S$764) on Sep. 22 after he pinched the cheek of a woman in Perak.

According to Bernama, Samsuri Kamaruddin had inappropriately touched the 23-year-old woman in a grocery store at Simpang Empat Bota Kanan at around 4pm on Sep. 5.

Magistrate Nurul Izalina Rajaai said that the man's actions were "wrong" and that they had "brought shame" to his family.

Touched her cheek multiple times

The case revealed that Samsuri had touched the woman inappropriately while she was attempting to process a payment at the checkout counter.

He had touched her left cheek twice before touching and pinching her cheek again after she told him off.

According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), the cashier experienced trauma from the incident and is hesitant to return to work.

Samsuri was later charged with using criminal force with the intention of outraging her modesty.

In Malaysia, those found guilty of such acts may face up to 10 years' jail, fined, whipped, or any two of the sentences combined.

"Everyone has acquaintances, but we must maintain boundaries": Magistrate

Prior to sentencing, Izalina said that Samsuri's actions were "wrong as an adult, a man of senior citizen age".

"Everyone has acquaintances, but we must maintain boundaries," she said.

Izalina added: "When with anyone who is not our mahram, we should not touch their cheeks, hands or any part of the body. What you did not only outraged the modesty of the victim but also brought shame to your own family."

In Islam, mahram refers to a family member with whom marriage would be considered unlawful, or haram, according to the Oxford Dictionary of Islam.

Samsuri pleaded guilty to the charge and paid the fine.

Top photos via Canva