MELAKA: A 28-year-old Thai imam has claimed trial at the Sessions Court in Ayer Keroh here to a charge of allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage boy.
The accused, who is also a teacher at a tahfiz (religious school) in Bukit Rambai here, entered the plea after the charge was read to him before judge Haderiah Siri on Wednesday (May 7).
According to the charge, the accused is alleged to have committed the act without the consent of the 13-year-old victim.
The offence was said to have been committed at Solok Setulang Daing, Bukit Rambai, here between 10pm and 11pm on February 20.
The charge against the accused, who is a bachelor, was framed under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of between five and 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Ehsan Nasaruddin, who led the prosecution, requested a new mention date along with several additional conditions for the accused.
These included refraining from contacting the victim, who is also a prosecution witness, surrendering his international passport to the court and reporting to the police twice a month.
The accused, represented by lawyer L. Sharveen, appealed for a lower bail amount, citing that his client earns only around RM1,500 a month as a religious teacher.
The court granted bail of RM15,000 with two Malaysian sureties and allowed the additional conditions requested by the prosecution.
The court also ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station on the first of every month and set June 10 as the next mention date.
