SEMPORNA: September 20, 2026 – An 18-year-old man has been detained by police to assist investigations into an incident believed to involve trespassing and the molestation of a woman at a resort in this district early yesterday morning.
Semporna district police chief Superintendent Tan Hiap Wah said police received a report on the incident, believed to have occurred at about 3am on Sept 19, 2026, in a room at a resort in Jalan Kamiri, Semporna.
He said preliminary investigations found the victim, a 25-year-old Chinese national, was asleep before she woke up and found a man inside her room.
The suspect is believed to have held the victim’s hands and removed some of her clothing before a struggle ensued.
The victim then managed to escape from the room and hid in nearby bushes until she was found by a resort worker in the morning.
While trying to escape, the victim claimed the suspect pulled her hair, causing her to fall.
Acting on information and preliminary investigation findings, a team from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Semporna District Police Headquarters detained an 18-year-old man in the resort area at about 8pm.
The suspect was then taken to the Semporna District Police Headquarters to assist investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 448 of the Penal Code for house trespass and Section 354 of the Penal Code for assault or use of criminal force to a person with intent to outrage modesty.
Police also advised the public not to speculate or spread unverified information as investigations are still ongoing.
The Semporna District Police Headquarters assured that investigations would be conducted thoroughly and professionally.Source: Semporna District Police media statement.
