Judge Azmi Abdullah said the court concurred with the sessions court that the strong punishment, which includes 15 strokes of the rotan, would send a clear message about the heinous nature of the crime.

He said the accused, who was the biological father of the girls, was supposed to be responsible for their upbringing, but betrayed their trust.

The man, who was unrepresented, has since filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal against his sentence. He cannot be named to protect the identity of his daughters.

In April, he pleaded guilty to charges of incest and sexual abuse. According to the facts of the case, he committed incest with his then 14-year-old daughter at the family home on March 12 and April 4, 2018.

He also sexually assaulted his 15-year-old daughter in the same house on April 4, 2018.

The girls were staying with their father and two brothers after he divorced their mother 10 years ago. Their abuse came to light after they told their mother what happened.

Apart from the jail term and whipping, the man is to undergo counselling and to be placed under police supervision for three years after his release.