A 41-year-old lorry driver pleaded not guilty at the Ipoh Sessions Court on Thursday to 21 charges of sexually abusing his two biological daughters over several months.
The accused entered the plea before Sessions Court Judge Jean Sharmila Jesudason after all the charges were read out against him.
According to the charge sheets, the man is accused of committing physical sexual abuse against his daughters, aged 13 and 16, at a house in Seri Iskandar, Perak Tengah, between the first week of April and July 26, 2026.
He was charged under Sections 14(a), 14(b) and 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act, as the offences allegedly involved victims who were under his care and trust.
If convicted, the accused faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years and whipping. Under Section 16(1), the court may also impose an additional jail term of up to five years and a minimum of two strokes of the cane.
The accused, who is married and has three children, was identified as the father of both victims, who are the eldest and second eldest children in the family.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Monisha Pandey appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented.
During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that bail should not be granted and requested additional conditions, including prohibiting the accused from contacting or disturbing the victims and prosecution witnesses, as well as requiring him to report to the nearest police station once every month.
After considering the submissions, the court allowed bail at RM15,750 with the additional conditions requested by the prosecution.
The court fixed Sept 14 for case mention and for the appointment of defence counsel as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
