MUAR: A religious teacher was charged at the Sessions Court here today with two counts of sexually assaulting a pupil in a bathroom at a Quran centre in Batu Pahat last month.
Muhammad Amir Syahmi Manat, 23, pleaded not guilty when both charges were read out by a court interpreter before judge Sayani Mohd Nor.
Amir, who is single, is accused of sexually assaulting his 8-year-old pupil at a Quran centre in Batu Pahat at 6.30pm on Aug 21.
The charges, framed under Sections 14(a) and 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, carry up to 20 years' imprisonment and whipping, upon conviction.
According to the report, the incident occurred when the victim, along with her 6-year-old sister, was attending Quran lessons at the centre.
At that time, three pupils, including a boy, were present. The accused had asked the boy to go home early.
The accused then took the victim into a bathroom, which was witnessed by her sister.
The accused prevented the victim's sister from entering the bathroom, instructing her to remain outside.
The sister heard her sibling protesting before she emerged from the bathroom with the accused.
The victim's sister recounted the incident to their mother, who filed a police report at the Sri Gading police station that day.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Ariff Marzuki prosecuted and the accused was represented by lawyer Mohd Razak Shariff.
Earlier, the prosecution requested the court to set the highest possible bail for the accused and impose two additional conditions.
The court granted RM12,000 bail for both charges and set Oct 8 for the submission of documents.
The court ordered the accused report to the Yong Peng police station at the beginning of every month.
Additionally, the accused was prohibited from harassing or contacting the victim until the conclusion of the court proceedings.