PETALING JAYA: A madrasah principal in Kelantan, known as Abuya, has been charged with six additional counts of sexual assault against a male student.
This brings the total number of cases against him to more than a dozen.
According to Sinar Harian's report, the accused, Muhammad Aswadi Yah, 46, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Judge Zulkpli Abdullah at the Pasir Mas Sessions Court on Wednesday (Sept 24).
He was alleged to have sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy between March and June this year at two separate locations, a house and a mosque in Kubang Batang, Wakaf Bharu, Tumpat.
The charges were framed under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
This Act provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Aiysha Na’ilah Harizan applied for bail of RM15,000 for each charge.
However, defence lawyer Mohd Irwan Sumadi requested a lower amount.
He noted that his client had already posted bail totalling RM63,000 in connection with earlier cases in Pasir Mas and Kuala Terengganu.
On Sept 11, Muhammad Aswadi was charged in Pasir Mas with seven counts of sexual assault involving two boys and possession of obscene images.
He was charged again on Sept 18 in Kuala Terengganu with two counts of sexual assault against a tahfiz student, also aged 14.
Today, the Court allowed bail of RM20,000 with one surety.
He must not disturb witnesses and must report to the nearest police station once a month.
He posted bail.
The case will be mentioned again on Nov 11.
