A SECONDARY school teacher from Tampin pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here on Friday (14 June) to a charge of committing physical sexual assault against a 14-year-old female student in a car last month.
Muhamad Asyraf Ahmad, 36, entered the plea before Judge Datin Surita Budin after the charge was read in court.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly committed the offence between 9.00am and 9.20am on 17 May 2025 inside a vehicle at KM242.1 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS), northbound, in the Rembau district.
The alleged act is punishable under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni proposed bail at RM20,000 with one surety, alongside additional conditions. These include monthly reporting to the police, non-interference with prosecution witnesses and the victim, and surrendering of the accused’s passport.
The unrepresented accused appealed for a lower bail sum, citing family responsibilities, including caring for two children and ill parents, as well as ongoing financial commitments.
He told the court he had recently been reassigned to the Tampin District Education Office pending the outcome of the case.
The court granted bail at RM12,000 with one surety and imposed all additional conditions requested by the prosecution.
The case is set for mention on 15 July. - June 13, 2025
