MUAR: The bus driver who faces child sexual abuse and obscene content charges secured bail of RM40,000 at the Muar Court Complex on Tuesday (Sept 17).
Sinar Harian reported that he was represented by lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaharil Muhaiyar and proceedings were completed at 11.50am
Following the payment, Ahmad Zaharil led the man to meet his mother, father, and family, who had been waiting at the court since early morning.
Ahmad Zaharil said that 'Abang Bas' has the right to justice through the proper legal channels in court.
"It's not fair. You don't even know him, but you speak as if you're wise, while he had no chance to defend himself at that time. The first thing I advised 'Abang Bas' was to stay calm, and we will file an appeal to reduce the bail amount and to retrieve the confiscated bus," he said outside the court.
On Sept 10, the bus driver pleaded not guilty after two charges were read out to him before Judge Sayani Mohd Nor.
According to the first charge, the youth was charged with committing physical sexual harassment by kissing the cheek of a four-year-old girl, who is also his niece, for sexual purposes between 5pm and 6pm on a school bus in Simpang Renggam in the Kluang district from April to September this year.
For this offence, he was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017 and can be sentenced under Section 14 of the same act, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping upon sentencing.
He was also charged with repeatedly observing a nine-year-old girl for sexual purposes between 5pm and 6pm in the same school bus at the same location this month.
He was accused of committing non-physical sexual harassment under Section 15(a)(iii) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017, punishable under Section 15 of the same act.
If convicted, the man could face imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of not more than RM20,000 or both.
