Muar High Court judge Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid made this decision after setting aside the fine imposed by the sessions court on March 19, Harian Metro reported.

He said the fine that was imposed was disproportionate to the offence committed by the accused.

“The offence under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 is serious. As a stepfather, the accused is supposed to protect the victim rather than exploit her.

“The actions of the accused have inflicted lasting trauma on the victim. The court deems that the accused should be punished accordingly,” he said.

Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri and MCA deputy secretary-general Dr Pamela Yong had called for a review of the RM6,000 fine, stating it was inadequate for the offence.

Meor overturned the sessions court’s fine and replaced it with a six-month prison sentence starting today, after applying Sections 323 and 325 of the Criminal Procedure Code for voluntarily causing hurt and grievous hurt.

“The sentence was decided after considering public interest and as a lesson to society. The court has ordered that the RM6,000 fine paid by the accused be returned,” he added.

On March 19, the 56-year-old cleaner pleaded guilty after he was charged in the sessions court with possession of child pornography, specifically 18 video recordings and pictures of his stepdaughter taking a shower.

However, the Attorney-General’s Chambers filed a notice of appeal against the decision a week later.

He was charged with committing the offence between Sept 17 and Dec 21 last year.