A madrasah principal in Tumpat, known as “Abuya,” has been charged with six additional counts of sexual assault involving a male student between March and June this year.
The accused, Muhammad Aswadi Yah, 46, pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read before Judge Zulkpli Abdullah at the Sessions Court on Wednesday.
According to the six charges, the religious teacher allegedly committed physical sexual assault against a 14-year-old boy. The offences were said to have taken place at two separate locations — a house and a mosque in Kubang Batang, Wakaf Bharu, Tumpat — between 12 noon and 5.30 pm from March 3 to June 9.
He was charged under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Aiysha Na’ilah Harizan appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Mohd Irwan Sumadi.
Siti Aiysha requested bail of RM15,000 for each charge. Mohd Irwan, however, sought a lower amount, noting that his client had already posted RM45,000 bail over seven sexual assault charges involving two male students and possession of obscene images on September 11 at the same court. He added that Muhammad Aswadi had also been granted RM18,000 bail by the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court on September 18 for two more sexual assault charges involving a 14-year-old tahfiz student.
Taking into account the total bail posted across separate cases — RM63,000 — Mohd Irwan urged the court to consider a minimum bail amount.
The court allowed bail of RM20,000 with one surety and imposed conditions that the accused must not contact witnesses and must report to the nearest police station monthly. The accused posted bail, and the court set November 11 for mention.
Media previously reported on September 11 that Muhammad Aswadi faced seven charges of sexual assault involving two male students and possession of obscene images in the Pasir Mas Sessions Court. On September 18, he was also charged in the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court with two more sexual assault offences involving a 14-year-old tahfiz student.
