A 48-YEAR-OLD religious teacher at a secondary school in Ipoh was charged in the Sessions Court today with three counts of physical sexual assault involving a 16-year-old male student two years ago.
Haslina Abu Bakar pleaded not guilty after all three charges were read out before Sessions Court Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad.
The first two charges allege that Haslina committed physical sexual assault against the teenager for sexual purposes in a room at a secondary school in Halaman Ampang Mewah, Ipoh, in the Kinta district, between November and December 2024.
The charges were brought under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, while the third charge was brought under Section 14(b) of the same Act.
If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and may also be subject to whipping.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Arfahanim Azureen Arfanuddin did not propose bail, while lawyer Amira Sofea An-Nur Ahmad Basri asked the court to allow bail on the grounds that her client was the sole breadwinner of her family.
Amira Sofea said Haslina had six children aged between eight and 22, with two currently studying at institutions of higher learning.
“My client is married, but her husband has health problems and has no fixed source of income. We ask the court to set a minimum bail amount that will not burden her.
“In addition, my client is also prepared to comply with any additional conditions imposed by the court,” she said.
Judge Ainul Shahrin subsequently granted Haslina bail of RM10,000 with one surety and fixed Oct 28 for mention of the case for the submission of documents. - September 28, 2026
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