KUALA LUMPUR: A 61-year-old architect has claimed trial to a charge of molest involving the 18-year-old son of a senior police officer.
Datuk Saiful Anuar Abdul Aziz pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before magistrate Siti Nurul Ain Ariffin here on Friday (Oct 23).
According to the charge, Saiful Anuar was accused of using criminal force against the victim by groping his body parts with the intention to outrage his modesty.
The offence was allegedly committed at a sauna in a gym at a shopping mall in Taman Melawati at 7.10pm on Sunday.
Saiful Anuar was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code and faces a maximum 10 years imprisonment or fine or whipping or any two of the combination, if convicted.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor M Ramanathan Alias Ashwin proposed bail at RM15,000 in one surety.
He also asked the court to impound the accused's passport.
Lawyer K Theivaendran asked for a lower bail amount, citing his client’s need to support his aged mother, 89, and a younger sibling.
"I object to the prosecution’s application, asking for the accused to surrender his passport. My client has projects abroad, including in Riyadh.
"There is no risk of him absconding," Theivaendran said.
Ramanathan replied that there certainly was a flight risk as the accused has overseas projects.
Magistrate Siti Nur Ain fixed bail at RM9,000 in one surety and allowed the additional bail condition applied by the prosecution.
The case is fixed for mention on Nov 26.
