A KELANTAN Mudir (the leader of. Islamic boarding school) known as Abuya, Mohamad Aswadi Yah, 46, appeared at the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court today charged with two counts of physically sexually assaulting a teenage boy.
The accused pleaded not guilty and requested to be tried after the charges were read before Judge Wan Nor Aklima Wan Salleh.
According to the charges, he committed the sexual assault against a 14-year-old boy on 15 February at approximately 9 pm at a premises on Jalan Pantai Batu Rakit, Kuala Terengganu.
He faces prosecution under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
In addition, Mohamad Aswadi is charged under Section 14(b) of the same Act, with the offence alleged to have occurred at the same location, time, and date.
The court allowed bail of RM18,000 for both charges and set 5 November for the next case mention.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Nabihah Hanim Ayim, while the accused was represented by lawyer Mohd Irwan Sumadi.
Previously, Mohamad Aswadi was also charged at the Pasir Mas Sessions Court, Kelantan, with seven counts of sexual assault against a male student and possession of obscene images. - September 18, 2025