IPOH: A former principal of a tahfiz school in Batu Gajah was arraigned in Sessions Court here today on 15 charges of having sexual intercourse with five male students, last year.
The accused, Azizul Yahya, 30, however, pleaded not guilty and asked to be tried after the charges against him were read before Judge Norita Mohd. Ardani.
According to the first to 14 charges, Azizul, who is still single, was charged with committing physical sexual assault on five teenagers aged between 13 to 15 years old by s*cking and touching their g*nitals, mast*rbating and kissing their lips.
The act was committed by the accused from February to October 2021 at a tahfiz school in the Batu Gajah district near here.
The prosecution against Azizul was filed under Sections 14 (a), 14 (b) and 14 (d) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017 which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping.
Azizul was also charged with non-physical sexual intercourse against a victim by showing a pornographic video at 7.30 am on October 18, 2021 at the same location.
Convicted, the accused can be sentenced to up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or both in accordance with Section 15 (e) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Afiqa Liyana Rozman while the accused was represented by lawyer Muhamad Syahrul Nizam Mohd. Rabbi.
Earlier, Afiqa Liyana applied for no bail to be offered to the accused as it took into account the public interest and the serious offense he had committed.
The five victims involved in the case still live and attend school that the incidents took place.
"It is feared that there will be harassment of the victim, public witnesses and other prosecution witnesses," he said.
However, Muhamad Syahrul applied for a guarantee on the grounds that the case was not a case that could not be guaranteed at all.
In fact, he said, the accused had also cooperated throughout the police investigation, including making a surrender report.
"Regarding the concern of harassment, the accused is no longer working at the tahfiz since October last year," he said.
The court accepted the prosecution team's application by not allowing bail for the accused.
The court set February 23 for re-mention of the case and submission of documents.
