KOTA KINABALU: A man claimed trial at the Sessions Court here yesterday to committing sexual offence against an 11-year-old girl.
Jasni Sulaiman, 42, who was brought before judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim, was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
The indictment provides for a maximum jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
He was alleged to have touched the girl’s private part at a house behind a hypermarket in Putatan here between 5 and 6pm on January 7, 2018.
In the proceedings, deputy public prosecutor Nureen Natasha Mohd Raffie said the alleged offence was a non-bailable offence. She therefore objected for bail to be given to the accused.
She also informed the court that the prosecution is expected to call nine witnesses.
However, Jasni, who was not represented, prayed for bail on the grounds that he is the sole breadwinner of his family and has to support a wife and children, including sending the children to school.
The court fixed July 22 – 24 this year for trial and allowed Jasni bail of RM10,000 in two local sureties.
Jasni was also warned not to tamper with the prosecution witnesses.
In an unrelated case, five men and a woman were jailed for entering the state illegally.
The judge imposed the sentence on Syawaludin Darwin, 24, Aziz Hassan, 33, Ajamar Jain, 33, Habel Danel, 27, Ajmal Eransa, 18, and Dibina Saharani, 45, after they pleaded guilty to their separate charges.
They were apprehended for the offence around Penampang and here during separate operations between March 23 and 30.
Syawaludin, Aziz, Ajamar and Habel also received a stroke of the cane each while others were spared due to their gender and age.
The judge also ordered all the foreigners to be referred to the Immigration Department after serving their sentences for their biometrics data to be recorded before deportation.