A 56-year-old Malay language teacher was charged in the Sessions Court today with six counts of committing physical sexual assault against five nine-year-old female students in May.
The accused, a father of six who teaches at a primary school, pleaded not guilty to all charges read before Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya.
According to the charge sheet, the teacher allegedly committed the offenses against the Year Three pupils inside a classroom on May 8, 13, and 15.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16 of the same Act, as he held a position of trust over the victims.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and whipping for each charge.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Haikal Hazwan Md Yatin did not offer bail, noting that the offenses are non-bailable. However, he acknowledged that the court has discretion to grant bail in such cases.
The court set bail at RM5,000 for each charge, with two sureties and additional conditions requested by the prosecution. The case has been fixed for mention on November 17 for the appointment of counsel and submission of documents.
