PUTRAJAYA: Singer and actor Na'im Daniel has pleaded not guilty in a Sessions Court to a charge of a sexual offence against a 17-year-old.
The celebrity, whose real name is Muhammad Na'im Daniel Baharin, entered his plea before Sessions Court judge M. Kunasundary in a closed-door proceeding on Tuesday (June 17).
According to the charge sheet, Na'im allegedly sexually assaulted the 17-year-old girl at a hotel on Jalan Harapan, Petaling Jaya, at 8.56pm on May 19.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and whipping, if convicted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Izzah Shaharuddin offered bail at RM15,000 with additional conditions.
She requested the court to order the accused to surrender his passport and not to harass prosecution witnesses.
The court set bail at RM12,000 with one surety and accepted the prosecution's additional conditions.
Judge Kunasundary ordered the accused to surrender his passport and instructed Na'im not to approach the witnesses.
The case is set for mention on August 18.
Na'im paid the bail. The 28-year-old is known for his roles in TV series such as "Projek: High Council", "Lelaki Lingkungan Cinta", and "I.D".
In 2020, his song "Sumpah" won the Best Song award at the 34th Anugerah Juara Lagu.
