KOTA BARU: A Kota Baru Municipal Council officer was charged at the magistrate's court here today for two counts of using force with intent to outrage the modesty of a subordinate female staff.
Shahrul Nizam Shuib, however, pleaded not guilty to all of the charges before Magistrate Rais Imran Hamid.
For the first charge, the 45-year-old accused was allegedly to have committed the act on the woman at the council's office at 9.30am on Oct 12 last year.
For the second charge, Shahrul Nizam was accused of committing the act on the same woman, at the same place at 9.30am on March 26 this year.
For the two offences, the accused was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries the maximum 10 years' jail or a fine or whipping or any of the two punishments upon conviction.
Syahrul Nizam was represented by lawyer Muhammad Fariduddin Mat Noor while Deputy public prosecutor Syazalia Che Suhaimin prosecuted.
Muhammad Fariduddin asked for a lower bail, saying that his client needs to support his wife and two children as well as his parents who are not well.
The court allowed Syahrul Nizam to be released on RM5,000 bail and set May 28 for mention.