Yong, 55, began serving an eight-year prison sentence on Wednesday after the court dismissed his final appeal.
"I'm relieved and grateful justice has finally been served for the Indonesian victim," Ambassador Dato' Indera Hermono told ANTARA following the ruling.
Malaysia's highest court unanimously rejected Yong's bid to overturn the 2024 Court of Appeal decision, which upheld his conviction and sentence for the 2018 assault on a 23-year-old Indonesian maid.
Hermono admitted he initially doubted the fairness of the proceedings due to Yong's political influence. He recalled demonstrations by Yong's supporters during earlier hearings and attempts to pressure the victim’s family into withdrawing the complaint.
"Attempts to discredit the victim continued even ahead of the final appeal. But thankfully, the court stood firm," he said.
Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, who led the three-judge panel, said Yong had failed to show any miscarriage of justice.
"The ruling is valid, and the majority decision by the Court of Appeal was correct," he stated, as quoted by Bernama.
Yong argued that his right to a fair trial was violated because the victim testified in a closed session under Malaysia's Witness Protection Act. But the court ruled the procedures lawful, saying the protected witness had provided credible testimony.
Initially sentenced in 2022 to 13 years in prison and two strokes of the cane, Yong's punishment was reduced by the appeals court to eight years while retaining the corporal penalty.
Hermono said he hoped the ruling would set a precedent for other ongoing cases involving Indonesian domestic workers, including Mariance Kabu, Mei Haryanti, and Zailis.
"This ruling sends a clear message," he said.
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Translator: Rangga PAJ,Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Anton Santoso
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