Kota Kinabalu: A 27-year-old man pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here on Thursday to a charge of sexually harassing his 11-year-old stepdaughter.
He was charged before Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan with allegedly fondling the girl's breasts and private parts at a rented room in Inanam at about 9.30am on June 30.
The charge, framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
The court fixed Aug 12 for pre-trial case management and released the accused on bail of RM6,000 with two local sureties.
The court also ordered him to report to the Manggatal police station on the first day of every month, surrender his passport if any, refrain from disturbing the alleged victim and move to another residence if he is still living under the same roof as the alleged victim.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Shafeerah Mad Iskim appeared for the prosecution and counsel Syed Anwar Sh Abdullah represented the accused.
