Kota Kinabalu: A 28-year-old primary school teacher has been acquitted of a charge of sexually abusing a boy after the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
Sessions Court Judge Dr Nur Ashikin Mokhtar discharged and acquitted Muhammad Hafiz Syakir Zainol of the charge.
Muhammad Hafiz was accused of committing the offence against the boy, who was 16 at the time, by touching his left hand and private part at a laundry in Tenom at 4pm on March 9, 2025.
The offence, under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
Seven witnesses testified during the trial.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Esther Cynthia Jebon conducted the prosecution, while DPP Ling Ghuong Zhin appeared when the court delivered its decision.
Counsel Slyvester Kwan represented Muhammad Hafiz.
