On September 4, 2026, a 68-year-old retired military officer holding the title “Datuk,” Yahya Hashim, was charged in the Ayer Keroh Magistrates’ Court with using criminal force to outrage the modesty of a 20-year-old female golf caddie while she was working at the Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club.
The Courtroom Proceedings and Bail Terms
The case unfolded before Magistrate Uthman Abd Ghani, where the accused entered a plea of not guilty after the charge was read aloud. The alleged incident occurred between 8.30am and 12.30pm on August 25 along Jalan Gapam, Bukit Katil, while the victim was assigned to provide caddie services to Yahya and another unidentified individual.
The legal parameters of the charge carry potential consequences under the law. Deputy Public Prosecutor Syauqi Mardia Baharudin prosecuted the initial arraignment, bringing the charge under Section 354 of the Penal Code. This statute provides for a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in imprisonment, a fine, whipping, or any two of those punishments upon conviction.
During the bail hearing, the prosecution requested an amount of RM5,000 paired with an explicit protective condition: that the accused must not disturb the victim, given that the location of the alleged offence is her workplace. Defence counsel Melvin Tay countered by requesting a reduction in the bail figure. Tay cited his client’s status as a retiree with no fixed income, noting that Yahya lives with his wife and suffers from a prostate-related health condition requiring treatment.
Magistrate Uthman ultimately allowed Yahya to be released on a reduced bail of RM2,500 with one surety. The court simultaneously upheld the prosecution’s protective condition, ordering the accused not to disturb the victim until the case is concluded. September 28 has been fixed for the next case mention.
Legal and Institutional Context
| Detail | Record |
|---|---|
| Accused | Yahya Hashim, 68 (Datuk title) |
| Victim | 20-year-old female golf caddie |
| Location | Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club, Ayer Keroh, Melaka |
| Date of Incident | August 25 (8.30am – 12.30pm) |
| Legal Charge | Section 354 of the Penal Code |
| Potential Penalties | Up to 10 years imprisonment, fine, or whipping |
| Bail Terms | RM2,500 with one surety; no contact with victim |
| Next Court Date | September 28 |
As the legal teams prepare for the upcoming mention on September 28, the focus remains strictly on the evidentiary threshold required under Section 354. The magistrate court will determine how the facts substantiate the allegation of criminal force used with intent to outrage modesty, balancing the rights of the accused against the safety of the complainant.
