KUCHING: A civil servant pleaded not guilty today in the Sessions Court here to the accusation of sexually abusing a girl in an event last year in which the girl’s father sold the child for the purpose of sexual activity.
The 45-year-old accused, a staff member at a Public Institution of Higher Education (IPTA), confessed innocence after an interpreter read out a charge before Judge Mohd Taufik Mohd@Mohd Yusoff.
According to the charge, he is suspected of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in 2021 at an unidentified house on Jalan Matang by inserting his finger into the victim’s genitals.
As a result, the accused is charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and, when read in conjunction with Section 14 of the same Act, a conviction may result in imprisonment for up to 20 years and whipping.
The court then set a mention date for case management on this November 28.
Meanwhile, the accused was released on RM5,000 cash bail with two local sureties.
The accused is alleged to be a friend of the victim’s father who allegedly subscribed to the victim for sexual purposes.
Meanwhile, in the same court, the father of the child in question pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 31(1)b of the Children Act 2001 and can be penalised under Section 31 and read in conjunction with Section 16 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act of 2017.
A conviction can result in an RM50,000 fine or ten years in jail.
The 45-year-old accused is charged with mistreating and ignoring the wellbeing of his 10-year-old daughter to the extent of sexual abuse, according to the charge sheet.
He allegedly committed the offence at an unnumbered residence on Jalan Matang.
The court then set a date for the case management to be heard again on November 28, as well as releasing the accused on RM8,000 cash bail with two local sureties.
The victim is currently believed to be in the care of the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
The case is being prosecuted by two individuals namely Deputy Public Prosecutor Danial Mohamad Ali and Ruvinasini Pandian.
