MUAR: A bus driver who allegedly uploaded videos of his passengers believed to be schoolkids has been charged at a Sessions Court in Muar.
The 24-year-old accused was seen crying in the dock and pleaded not guilty after two charges were read out to him before Judge Sayani Mohd Nor.
According to the first charge, the youth was charged with committing physical sexual harassment by kissing the cheek of a four-year-old girl, who is also his niece, for sexual purposes between 5pm and 6pm on a school bus in Simpang Renggam in the Kluang district from April to September this year.
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For this offence, he was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017 and can be sentenced under Section 14 of the same act, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping upon sentencing.
He was also charged with repeatedly observing a nine-year-old girl for sexual purposes between 5pm and 6pm in the same school bus at the same location this month.
He was accused of committing non-physical sexual harassment under Section 15(a)(iii) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017, punishable under Section 15 of the same act.
If convicted, the man could face imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of not more than RM20,000 or both.
State prosecution director Abdul Ghafar Ab Latif proposed a RM50,000 bail for each charge, arguing that the case is serious and had attracted public attention, with many comments calling for the authorities to take firm action.
The prosecution also asked that the accused not disturb one of the victims – who is also the man’s niece – as well as her sister and mother, who are prosecution witnesses.
The man, who was represented by lawyer Umar Zulkarnain, pleaded for a lower bail, arguing that he has no fixed income as he only works as a school bus driver.
Sayani then allowed the accused to be released on RM30,000 bail for both charges and set the next court mention for Oct 10, along with the submission of documents.
