By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Oct 28: A staff of a public higher learning institute (IPTA) has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl.
The 45-year-old accused pleaded not guilty to the charge framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and read together with Section 14 of the same Act.
Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
Sessions Court Judge Mohd Taufik Mohd@Mohd Yusoff released the accused on cash bail of RM5,000 and with two local sureties.
The case is fixed for further mention on Nov 28.
According to the brief facts of the case, the accused had allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, who was 10-years-old then, at an unnumbered house in Jalan Matang in 2021.
The accused is a friend of the victim’s father.
The father of the victim was also charged at the Sessions Court here today for neglecting his daughter and causing her to be sexually abused.
The father pleaded not guilty to the charge framed under Section 31(1)(b) of the Child Act 2001 and punishable under Section 31 of the same Act and read together with Section 16 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. Which upon conviction carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment up to 10 years.
The incident came to light on October this year after the girl told her school teacher, who subsequently lodged a police report.
The victim had been sent to Sarawak General Hospital for further examination.
According to the source, the victim had allegedly been sent to an ‘uncle’ numerous times by her father in exchange for money.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Danial Mohamad Ali and Ruvinasini Pandian prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented by counsel. — DayakDaily
