Preacher Ebit Lew claims trial to 11 charges of sexual harassment

Independent preacher Ebit Irawan Ibrahim Lew, better known as Ebit Lew, was charged in the Tenom Magistrate’s Court today with 11 charges in connection with sexual harassment.

Ebit Irawan, 38, pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges which were read to him before magistrate Nur Asyraf Zolhani.

He was charged with sending obscene pictures and words with the intention of insulting a person’s modesty through WhatsApp in the Tenom district between March and June last year.

The charges were framed under Section 509 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Nur Asyraf set bail at RM1,000 for each charge with two sureties and set April 20 for mention.

Ebit Irawan posted the bail.

Sabah prosecution director Muhammad Ilmami Ahmad prosecuted, while the preacher was represented by lawyer Mohamed Zairi Zainal Abidin.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Abdul Jalil Hassan told a media conference today that on Aug 7 last year, the police received three reports against the preacher for alleged sexual harassment.

He advised the public against making any speculations or provocation regarding the case and urged those with information to come forward to facilitate the police investigation.