PETALING JAYA: An ustaz who earlier claimed trial to molesting a teenage girl has been slapped with three more charges of committing physical sexual assault on a child.
Hafidz Eshak, 43, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before judge Kamil Nizam at the Seremban sessions court, reported Berita Harian.
He was charged with committing the acts on a 14-year-old girl in March, June and August at a house as well as a religious centre in Port Dickson.
The charges against Hafidz, who is the chairman of the religious centre, were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and caning upon conviction.
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Lawyer Hanif Hassan, representing Hafidz, requested a lower bail amount for all three charges, saying the religious centre led by the accused was a non-profit and depended on public donations as well as aid from the state religious department.
Kamil allowed the accused bail of RM12,000 and ordered him to surrender his passport to the court. He also fixed Oct 29 for mention of the case.
Earlier today, Hafidz claimed trial in the Port Dickson magistrates’ court to a charge of outraging the modesty of a 19-year-old girl who was training at the religious centre to be a teacher.
He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 10 years in jail or a fine or whipping, or any two of the punishments, if convicted.
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