Kuala lumpur: A construction worker from Bangladesh, Md Romjan Ali, has been sentenced to six months in jail and fined RM15,100 by four Magistrates' Courts in the city after pleading guilty to molesting five women at various Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations last month.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 41-year-old entered his guilty plea as charges were presented before Magistrates Aina Azahra Arifin, Faezahnoor Hasan, Nurul Izzah Hasan Basri, and Farah Nabihah Muhamad Dan. Magistrate Aina Azahra sentenced him to three weeks in jail and a RM3,500 fine, with a default penalty of four months' imprisonment. Magistrate Faezahnoor imposed a three-month jail term and a RM3,000 fine, with a default of three months' imprisonment.

Further, Magistrate Nurul Izzah handed down a six-month jail sentence and a fine of RM3,600, with the option of six months' imprisonment if the fine is not paid. Lastly, Magistrate Farah Nabihah levied a RM5,000 fine, with a default penalty of three months' imprisonment. This culminated in a total fine of RM15,100, alongside a cumulative six-month jail term.

Md Romjan faced charges under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which concerns the use of criminal force with the intent to outrage modesty. The charges involved a German woman and four local women between the ages of 21 and 28. The incidents occurred between April 10 and 25 at Chan Sow Lin LRT Station, Maluri MRT Station, and on a train route from Taman Midah MRT Station to Muzium Negara MRT Station.

The Penal Code stipulates a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment, a fine, or whipping, or any combination thereof upon conviction. Defense lawyer T. Chandrasegaran sought a reduced fine, citing his client's remorse and vow not to reoffend. Meanwhile, Deputy Public Prosecutors Hench Goh, Nurainizatul Farhana Zainal, and Nur Farhana Mohamad Poad, along with prosecuting officers Insp M. Alli Nangai and Insp M. Naresh Kumar, urged the court to consider public interest and impose an appropriate sentence as a deterrent.