SEREMBAN: A 33-year-old madrasah teacher claimed trial at the Sessions Court here on a charge of committing physical sexual assault against a nine-year-old boy.
Muhammad Ilyas Jamaludin pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before judge Surita Budin yesterday.
Muhammad Ilyas was charged with committing the offence against the victim, who is an Indonesian, at a madrasah in Lenggeng in 2023.
The accused was charged under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a jail term not exceeding 20 years, and whipping.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi then informed the court that her team was not offering the accused any bail.
Nurul Balkis, who was assisted by Nor Baizura Mohd Saubian, said if the court were to allow bail, then it should be above RM30,000.
She also asked the court to order the accused to stay away from the victim and witnesses and to report at the nearest police station until the case is disposed of.
Counsel for the accused Mohd Zaharudeen Harun told the court that the accused no longer teaches at the madrasah and is now working at another madrasah in Kuala Lumpur.
He said the accused had also been cooperative during police investigations, and there is no reason for him to contact the victim or witnesses.
“Although the charge is serious, the accused has not been proven guilty,” Mohd Zaharudeen told the court.
“The bail amount offered by the prosecution is excessive as the accused only earns RM1,600 a month,” Mohd Zaharudeen said, adding that RM8,000 is a reasonable amount.
Surita then fixed bail at RM10,000 and allowed the other conditions requested by the prosecution.
In another court, a teacher assistant also claimed trial to a charge of causing physical injury to the same victim.
The accused, who was 17 years old when the alleged incident took place, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before Sessions Court judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi.
The accused was also charged with committing the offence in 2023.
He was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a jail term of not more than 20 years or a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or both upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Intan Noorashikin Nasarudin then offered the accused bail of RM30,000 with one surety.
Counsel for the accused, Fadlyzil Ikram Norzailan Shah, asked for a lower bail amount as Fadlyzil Ikram only earns RM1,000 a month.
“His parents do not have a fixed income as they are farm workers.
“They also have to provide for two other children who are still schooling,” he said.
Judge Meor Sulaiman allowed bail for RM7,000 with one surety. The accused was also told to report at the nearest police station once a month until the case is disposed of.
Both cases were fixed for next mention on Nov 29.
