Two restaurant workers pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to charges of physically sexually assaulting two underage girls in a car last month.
Iskandar Zulkarnain Dzulkifli, 21, and Muhammad Firdaus Wiyoso, 20, entered their pleas after the charges were read out separately before Judge Mohd Khairi Haron.
Iskandar is accused of committing two acts of sexual assault against a 16-year-old girl in a car travelling from Bukit Pasir to Seri Tanjung, Bakri, between 2.30am and 4am on Dec 21.
Firdaus faces a similar charge involving a 14-year-old girl in a car parked outside a house in Sungai Abong at around the same time and date.
Both men were charged under Sections 14(a) and 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
According to the case facts, the two accused, who were known to the victims, had invited the girls for a drive. The alleged assaults took place inside the vehicle, with one victim seated in the front and the other in the back.
The incident was reported after one of the victims informed her brother, who subsequently lodged a police report.
Deputy public prosecutor Diyana Najihah Muhamed Fauzi appeared for the prosecution, while both accused were unrepresented.
The court granted bail of RM8,000 each. Firdaus posted bail, while Iskandar was remanded at the Muar correctional centre.
Both men were also ordered to report to their nearest police station once a month and were barred from contacting the victims or any prosecution witnesses until the case is concluded.
The case has been fixed for March 16 for mention, submission of documents and the appointment of lawyers.
