Hotel Security Breach

In October 2014, an Australian tourist was sexually assaulted while staying at the five-star RitzCarlton Kuala Lumpur. The offence occurred in the early hours of the morning when a hotel employee gained unauthorised access to the victim’s room using a copied electronic key card. The matter attracted significant international media attention following reports to Australian consular officials and the commencement of investigations by Malaysian authorities.

Criminal proceedings were brought against the offender, a former hotel employee. In 2016, the Malaysian courts convicted the accused of rape and imposed a sentence of 13 years’ imprisonment together with two strokes of the rotan (caning).

The victim was represented by lawyer Tania Scivetti. In parallel with the criminal proceedings, civil action was commenced in the Kuala Lumpur High Court against the hotel arising from the security breach. The civil matter was subsequently resolved by settlement between the parties.