A 34-year-old teacher and hostel warden has claimed trial to two charges of physical sexual assault involving an 11-year-old Year Five pupil at a primary school in Dabong, Kuala Krai.
Mohd Faiz Rohizat pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out before Sessions Court Judge Zulkifli Abllah on Wednesday.
The alleged offences took place inside the school hostel warden’s room at about 1pm in April 2025 and 4pm in September 2025, involving the same male pupil.
The first charge was brought under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, while the second was filed under Section 14(d) of the same Act. Both provisions carry a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Syazalia Che Suhaimin handled the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Siti Fathma Nuraimi Mohamad.
Syazalia did not offer bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences.
However, Siti Fathma urged the court to grant bail, arguing that her client was a civil servant with a wife and a three-year-old child to support.
She said the accused could lose his job and source of income if bail was denied, adding that he also had to provide for his elderly parents.
The lawyer further argued that her client was unlikely to abscond as he had a permanent address in Bachok.
The court subsequently granted bail of RM10,000 with one surety, subject to several conditions.
The accused must provide his permanent residential address, refrain from contacting or interfering with the prosecution’s witnesses and the victim, and report to a nearby police station once every two months.
He was also ordered to surrender his passport to the court for safekeeping.
The case has been fixed for mention on December 23, with the accused having paid the bail.
