SEREMBAN: A 45-year-old counselling teacher has pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to two charges of committing physical sexual assault against two pupils and a third charge of possessing child pornography.
He claimed trial after the charges were read to him before Judge Surita Budin.
For the first and second charges, he is accused of committing the offences against two 11-year-old boys at a school in Seremban 2. The alleged incidents occurred in the counselling room in early September 2023 and May of the same year.
The charges fall under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, in conjunction with Section 16 of the same Act, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and whipping upon conviction.
For the third charge, he is accused of possessing 180 photographs and clips of children being sexually abused on his laptop at a house in Seremban on Dec 12, 2023.
This charge is under Section 10 of the same Act, which carries a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Baizura Mohd Saubian recommended a bail of RM30,000 for each charge and requested that the accused stay away from contacting the alleged victims, surrender his passport, report to the nearest police station until the cases are resolved, and remain reachable by authorities.
The accused's lawyer, Mohamad Zahid Ahmad, requested a lower bail, arguing that the proposed amount was excessive. He noted that his client had cooperated with the authorities and was now working at the district education office after being transferred from the school.
"The accused, who is a government servant, will not be able to raise bail based on the amount proposed by the prosecution. He is, however, prepared to abide by any other conditions set by the court," said Mohamad Zahid, who was assisted by Fahmi Adilah.
Judge Surita set bail at RM30,000 for all three charges and approved the additional conditions requested by the prosecution. The court scheduled the case for remention on March 7.
