GEORGE TOWN – A public market trader assistant was arraigned in the sessions court today on charges of abusing his seven children last year.
Muhamad Faizal Abdul Kudus, 42, pleaded not guilty after the charge sheet was read before judge Mazdi Abdul Hamid and judge Norsalha Datuk Hamzah.
The charge stated that he was accused of causing injuries and neglecting his seven children aged five to 14 between January and December last year, at their residence at the Mutiara Idaman Apartment.
He was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 2001, which provides for a maximum jail term of 10 years or a fine of RM20,000 or both, if convicted.
The case was handled by deputy public prosecutors Rais Imran Hamid and Muhammad Shahrezal Mohd Shukri, while the accused was represented by lawyer Md Yusuf Md Idris.
During the proceedings, Rais Imran did not intend to offer any bail to the accused out of concern for the safety of the victims and witnesses.
However, Yusuf requested for a low bail, seeing that his client works as an assistant trader in a public market with a monthly income of RM1,200.
Apparently, the accused also suffers from chronic diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma.
The court then allowed a bail of RM60,000 for the seven charges with one surety.
At the same time, Faizal must surrender his passport to the court and must report to the nearest police station on the 1st and 15th of each month.
He is also prohibited from living in the same house with the victims.
The two justices also ordered the accused, his family or any representative not to approach or harass the victims and witnesses.
Meanwhile, in the magistrate’s court, Faizal pleaded not guilty to injuring his wife, Ummu Nabilah Md Ehzwan, 42, before magistrate Rosnee Mohd Radzuan.
According to the sheet, Faizal was charged with injuring his wife in the neck and limbs at the same location and during the same time period that he allegedly abused his children.
He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of two years if convicted.
The case was handled by deputy public prosecutor Syairah Aqilah Khalil, while the accused was represented by lawyer Muhamad Asri Abdul Hamid.
The court set bail at RM3,000 on the condition that he can never approach or harass the complainant.
All eight charges are set for re-mention for the submission of documents on February 11. – The Vibes, January 11, 2022
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