PORT DICKSON: An ustaz, who is also the chairman of a private religious school in the district, was charged at the magistrate's court here today with outraging the modesty of a practical teacher last month.
Mohd Hafidz Eshak, 44, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him by the court interpreter before Magistrate Uthman Abd Ghani.
According to the charge sheet, Mohd Hafidz is accused of committing the offence against the 19-year-old victim at 6.40pm on Aug 11.
He was charged with committing the offence at one of the buildings at the school.
Mohd Hafidz was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries the maximum 10 years' imprisonment, a fine or whipping, or both if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Azriff Firdaus Mohamad Ali prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyers Datuk Hanif Hassan dan Nur Haifa Husna Zuhaimi.
Azriff proposed bail at RM50,000 considering the seriousness of the case which has also generated the interest of the public.
Hafidz's lawyers, however, appealed for lower bail on the grounds that the accused has financial difficulties.
Hanif also clarified that his client had no connection with Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH).
The court later set bail at RM4,000 with one surety. The court also ordered the accused to not interefere with the victims or any prosecution witnesses.
The case has been fixed for mention on Oct 17.