SELAYANG: A caretaker of a charity home linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of abusing a child under his care by using a rotan.
Mohd Syahid Hanapiah, 35, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to him before Sessions Court judge Lailatul Zuraida Harron @ Harun here on Friday (Oct 4).
When asked by the court interpreter if he was pleading guilty, Mohd Syahid said: “Tidak (No).”
According to the charge sheet, Mohd Syahid was accused of abusing a six-year-old boy, who was under his care, by using a rotan that could have resulted in injury.
He allegedly committed the offence at a premises at Bandar Country Homes in Rawang between February and September, this year.
The accused was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment of no more than 20 years, or both, if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurilya Ellyna Nor Azmal told the court that the prosecution was not offering bail.
“However, if the court decides to use its discretion and grant bail, the prosecution suggests RM20,000 and additional conditions to be imposed on the accused,” she said.
Lailatul then asked Mohd Syahid, who was unrepresented, if he had anything to say on the issue of bail.
Mohd Syahid asked if the court could reduce the bail amount as he was “facing problems”.
“I have financial problems, work problems, family problems… Can I ask for a lower amount,” he said.
The judge fixed bail at RM10,000 in one surety.
“The accused is also prohibited from harassing or meeting the victim and witnesses. The accused is also required to report his attendance to the nearest police station every month and he must be reachable by the police at all times,” Lailatul said.
The court fixed Nov 5 for mention and for the accused to appoint a lawyer.
Yesterday (Oct 3), Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that a caretaker with a GISB-linked charity home would be charged for child abuse.
The police had launched Ops Global at the beginning of last month and raided charity homes across Peninsular Malaysia linked to GISB, on suspicion of child and religious exploitation activities.
As a result of the raids, 572 victims were rescued while 359 followers of GISB, including senior management of the company, were arrested.
Last month, two individuals linked to the organisation were charged in court.
On Sept 26, Muhammad Barur Rahim Hisam, 23, who is a teacher and caretaker, was sentenced to 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to four charges relating to the abuse of several boys under his care.
On Sept 18, Mohamad Riza Makar, 39, who is a member of GISB, claimed trial to a charge of criminal intimidation against an ex-member of the organisation who refused to withdraw her police report.
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