SEREMBAN: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has rejected a representation filed by a counselling teacher, who faces charges for committing sexual assault against an 11-year-old and possessing child pornography.
However, Sessions Court Judge Surita Budin was told that the AGC agreed to withdraw a third charge against Mohd Khairulnizam Muslin, 45, for sexual assault against another 11-year-old pupil.
Mohd Khairulnizam had claimed trial to all three charges on Feb 7.
With the AGC's decision, he now faces one sexual assault charge for the offence he allegedly committed against the male pupil in a school counselling room in September 2023.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16 of the same Act, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
For the second 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 Norazihah Asmuni said the prosecution would call nine witnesses during the trial.
Judge Surita fixed Jan 30 for case management and April 1, 2, 10 and 30 for trial.
