Ariel Lhudfiyan Muarifin, 20, an Indonesian construction worker employed in Okinawa, was sentenced to 15 months in jail and three strokes of the cane for molesting a 17-year-old girl on a Scoot flight from Okinawa to Singapore on April 15, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4].
The victim, a teenager living in Thailand, was seated next to Ariel on the flight as she returned home via Singapore [1, 2, 3, 4]. During the journey, Ariel repeatedly touched the victim's thigh, abdomen, hip, breast, and back while she was both asleep and awake [1, 2, 3, 4].
Deputy Public Prosecutor Gabriel Lee noted the victim "felt extremely scared, violated, uncomfortable, trapped and helpless" following the incidents [1]. The victim reported the molestation to a flight stewardess and was promptly moved to another seat [1, 2, 3, 4].
Scoot airline reported the incident to authorities, and Ariel was arrested the same day, April 15, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. He pleaded guilty to one charge of molestation.
During sentencing on June 3, 2026, the court imposed a 15-month jail term and three strokes of the cane on Ariel [1, 2, 3, 4]. The Deputy Public Prosecutor had sought a sentence ranging from 14 to 16 months imprisonment and three to five strokes of the cane, noting Ariel exploited his close proximity to the victim [1, 2, 3, 4].
In mitigation, Ariel requested leniency through an interpreter [1, 2, 3, 4]. Under Singapore law, molestation carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in jail, fines, caning, or a combination thereof [1, 2, 3, 4].
