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SHAH ALAM - Former Permatang Pasir assemblyman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil was released without discharge by the Magistrate's Court here yesterday on charges of committing sexual assault to outrage the modesty of a female salesperson two years ago.
Lawyer Abdul Aziz Hamzah who represented the National Trust Party (Amanah) leader, said that Magistrate Mohamad Suffian Jaafar decided so after the prosecution informed that the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) had received the representation filed on August 17.
"Yes, the prosecution (AGC) has received our representation.
"Alhamdulillah, the document is based on principles and facts," said the lawyer when contacted by the media.
On June 9, 2021, Muhammad Faiz pleaded not guilty to a charge of using criminal force with the intent to outrage the modesty of a 31-year-old woman.
He was accused of committing the offence in a car from Sunway Pyramid shopping centre to Subang Jaya here between 9.45 pm and 11.30 pm on March 8, 2021.
The charge was made under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment, a fine, caning, or any two of the aforesaid punishments.
Previously, the media reported that the police were investigating an MLA from a northern state on the peninsula for allegedly molesting a store assistant who was also a member of his party.
Just this week, three political leaders were released by the courts on various criminal charges based on the reasons presented earlier.
In addition to Muhammad Faiz, on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was released without discharge by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on 47 charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering (AMLA) involving funds from the Yayasan Akalbudi.
Simultaneously, the same High Court released and acquitted Kinabatangan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife, Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, each on three charges of corruption involving RM2.8 million.
