IPOH: A 23-year-old storekeeper has been charged at the Magistrate's Court here with two counts of molesting a convenience store employee last month.
Muhammad Haziq Danial Zulkifli pleaded not guilty after the charges under Sections 354 and 509 of the Penal Code were read to him before Magistrate S. Punitha on Tuesday (Sept 15).
For the first charge, Haziq is alleged to have hugged the 19-year-old worker from the back and inappropriately touched her in a convenience store at Panorama Lapangan Perdana here at 5.25am on Aug 24.
For the second charge, he is accused of committing an obscene act in front of her at the same time and place.
The charge under Section 354 carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ jail, a fine, caning, or any two of these punishments, upon conviction.
The Section 509 charge provides for up to five years’ jail, a fine, or both if found guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Zulqarnain Wan Asmira requested bail of RM7,000.
Lawyer Kathan Maruthamuthu, from the National Legal Aid Foundation, pleaded for a lower bail, as Haziq only earns RM1,900 a month.
"The accused is married and has a seven-year-old daughter to support," he said.
Punitha set bail at RM4,000 with one surety and ordered the accused not to disturb the victim.
The court fixed Oct 22 for document submission and case mention.
