SEREMBAN: The defence team for four assistant teachers from a madrasah in Kuala Pilah, linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) and who are accused of sexual assault charges, will submit a second representation.
This was informed by Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi before judge Datin Surita Budin at the Sessions Court here today.
The second representation follows the rejection of the first submission by the state prosecution director last month.
Lawyer Datuk Hanif Hassan said his clients, Muhammad Habib Noh Mohd Zairi, 21, Muhammad Khunnais Fathie Khabil, 20, Nadzful Izham Azizan, 22, and Muhammad Fawzun Azim Ismail, 20, had instructed him to proceed with the new representation.
Speaking outside the court, Hanif said the fresh representation seeks a review of the charges and sentencing considering the age of all four accused.
"We will submit the second representation to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) in Putrajaya. It aims to secure the lightest possible sentences considering the age of all four," he said.
On Sept 19, the media reported that three assistant teachers from a madrasah in Kuala Pilah linked to GISB were charged at the Sessions Court for committing physical sexual assault against several male children between 2022 and 2023.
Habib Noh faces five charges, Khunnais Fathie, six charges and Nadzful Izham, three charges. All three pleaded not guilty when the charges were read separately before the judge.
According to the charges, they were accused of committing sexual assault against five boys, three of whom are siblings, aged between 9 and 11.
Habib Noh also faces a charge under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, where he is alleged to have committed sexual assault on a 10-year-old victim.
On Sept 20, Fawzun Azim was also charged with the same offence involving four boys last year.