IPOH, Oct 14 — A former religious school teacher was charged in the Sessions Court here today with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old male student in August last year.
Muhamad Najmuddin Jamal, 27, pleaded not guilty to the charge read before Judge Jean Sharmila Jesudason.
According to the charge sheets, he was accused of touching the victim’s private part at a religious school in Hulu Chepor, Chemor here sometime in the morning of August 2024.
The charge, framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years and whipping, if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Arfahanim Azureen Arfanuddin led the prosecution, while Muhamad Najmuddin was represented by lawyers Khairul Anuar Musa and Mohammad Yunus Razak.
Nur Arfahanim requested the court to set bail at RM20,000 and sought an order preventing the accused from contacting or disturbing the victim and witnesses.
Khairul appealed for a minimum bail, arguing that his client earns only RM1,700 per month and has to support his ailing parents and sibling with a monthly commitments of RM1,000.
He also told the court that his client is no longer employed at the school and is currently working at the Community Development Office (Kemas) as a community development officer.
The judge then fixed bail at RM9,000 with one surety and ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station once a month until the case concludes.
She also instructed him not to interfere with the victim or any witnesses.
The case has been set for mention on November 26.
