Former tuition teacher pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges involving two children

A FORMER tuition centre instructor has been brought before the Sessions Court in Balik Pulau on four counts of physically sexually assaulting two young girls last year, with the alleged offences said to have occurred at a childcare facility in Bayan Lepas.

Lim Boon Jye, 34, claimed trial to all four charges after they were read out by the court interpreter before Judge Ahzal Fariz Ahmad Khairuddin.

According to the first charge, Lim is accused of committing physical sexual assault by touching the buttocks and hugging a nine-year-old girl between 3pm and 4pm in March 2024 at a childcare centre along Persiaran Pantai Jerjak 6, within the Southwest district.

The charge was brought under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

Under the second charge, the accused is alleged to have kissed the same child on the mouth and cheek at the same time and location, an offence framed under Section 14(d) of the same Act.

The third charge states that Lim committed physical sexual assault by hugging the waist of an eight-year-old girl between 8am and 1pm in May last year at the same premises, an offence under Section 14(a) of the Act.

For the fourth charge, he is accused of kissing the lips and head of the same eight-year-old girl during the same period and at the same location, an offence under Section 14(d) of the Act.

If convicted on all counts, Lim faces a prison term of up to 20 years and whipping.

The prosecution is being conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Asma’ ‘Amira Shahidani, while the accused is represented by lawyer Savinder Singh.

During proceedings, the prosecution did not offer bail. However, defence counsel sought a minimal bail amount, citing that the accused has a child and that his wife is currently pregnant.

The court allowed Lim, who works as a sales engineer at a private company, to be released on bail of RM30,000 with one surety.

He was also ordered to surrender his passport, report to a police station once a month until the case is concluded, and refrain from interfering with the victims.