A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty to abusing his eight-year-old niece at the Sessions Court on Thursday.
The accused, Muhammad Faiz Aresah, who works at an architecture company, entered the plea after the charge was read before Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail.
According to the charge, the accused, who had custody of the child, allegedly abused her at a house in Kampung Parit Jamal, Benut, Pontian, around 2.30 p.m. on September 16.
He was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, up to 20 years in prison, or both.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Zuhainie Zull Kafli handled the case, while the accused was represented by National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) lawyer K Bharathi.
During proceedings, the prosecution argued the offence was non-bailable. However, Bharathi appealed for bail, stating that the accused earns only RM1,000 a month and helps support his school-going siblings.
The judge granted bail of RM7,000, with conditions requiring the accused to report to the police monthly and surrender his passport to the court. The case has been fixed for mention on November 6 for facts and sentencing.
Pontian District Police Chief, Superintendent Mohammad Shofee Tayib, confirmed receiving the report on September 26. He said the case came to light after the victim’s teacher noticed severe burn injuries on her right arm.
“The victim was said to be playing with her 10-year-old aunt in the living room and making noise, which angered the accused. He then pressed a hot iron against her arm,” he explained.
A hospital examination found the girl sustained a serious thermal burn injury on her right upper limb, and she was admitted to the pediatric ward at Pontian Hospital.
