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A SOCIAL media influencer was brought before two Sessions Courts in Kuala Lumpur today, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of raping and committing physical sexual assault against two teenage girls last month.
Muhammad Iman Hazriq Azizan, 23, entered his pleas after the charges were read separately before judges Tasnim Abu Bakar and Mohd Kafli Che Ali.
Before Judge Tasnim, Muhammad Iman Hazriq was charged with raping a 15-and-a-half-year-old girl inside a condominium room in Wangsa Maju between 1pm and 8pm on Jan 22.
The charge was framed under Section 375(g) of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 376(1) of the same law, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
In a separate proceeding before Judge Mohd Kafli, the accused was charged with committing physical sexual assault on another teenage girl aged 16, for sexual purposes, at the same place, time and date.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Noor Shakira Aliana Alias proposed bail of RM15,000 for each charge, with additional conditions that the accused surrender his passport to the court, report once a month to the nearest police station, and be prohibited from interfering with prosecution witnesses, the victims and their families until the conclusion of the case.
Counsel for the accused, Mohamad Akmal Mohd Taufik, sought a reduction in bail, saying his client was unmarried and financially responsible for his parents and two younger siblings who were still in school.
“My client works as a sales assistant at a shoe store with a monthly income of RM2,000. He has also cooperated fully with the police throughout the investigation and poses no risk of absconding,” the lawyer said.
Judges Tasnim and Mohd Kafli each allowed bail at RM10,000 with one surety, together with the additional conditions sought by the prosecution.
The courts fixed March 4 and April 2 for further mention of the cases. - February 3, 2026