A RETIRED teacher has been charged with 17 counts of physically sexually assaulting seven female students, allegedly exploiting his position of trust as an educator.
Zaidi Abbas, 56, pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read out before Teluk Intan Sessions Court judge Rafidah Che Aziz today.
The alleged offences involved seven girls aged between 13 and 15 and were said to have occurred between May 2024 and July 7, 2025.
The prosecution alleged that the offences were committed for sexual purposes at a special room and the canteen of a secondary school in Langkap, inside a vehicle in the surrounding area and while travelling home from Teluk Intan.
The charges were brought under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act.
If convicted, the accused faces a maximum prison term of 20 years and whipping, as well as a further prison term of up to five years and a minimum of two strokes of the cane.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Izzuddin Fakri Hamdan proposed bail of RM70,000 for all 17 charges, with additional conditions that the accused not interfere with the victims and report to the nearest police station once a month.
Defence counsel Koh Shean Wai sought a reduction to RM1,000 per charge, citing the accused's monthly income of about RM4,000 and his responsibility for supporting his wife, mother and four school-going children.
He also said his client was a person with disabilities (OKU), had no previous criminal record and was not a flight risk, adding that he wished to clear his name through the court process.
The court granted bail of RM40,000 for all charges, subject to the additional conditions requested by the prosecution.
The case was fixed for mention on Dec 14. - November 13, 2026
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