KUALA LUMPUR: A male masseur pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to charges of committing physical sexual assault on a teenage boy who went missing in Hulu Bernam, Selangor, early last month.
The accused, Hamid Khan Samoon, 43, made the plea after the charges were read in the interpreter's presence before Judge Mohd Kafli Che Ali.
According to the charges, he is accused of committing physical sexual assault on a 16-year-old boy in a hotel room on Jalan Sultan here, from 8pm, Jan 1 to Jan 10.
He is charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and whipping.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Noorhani Muhmmed Ayub proposed bail of RM15,000 with one surety and additional conditions, including not disturbing prosecution witnesses and reporting to the nearby police station once a month.
However, the unrepresented requested a reduced bail, citing the responsibility of supporting his sister who is without a husband.
"I am supporting my sister; her child has passed away, and my sister relies heavily on me," he said.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Mohd Kafli allowed bail of RM8,000 with one surety and additional conditions as requested by the prosecution.
Previously, Harian Metro reported that a man was remanded for seven days after being believed to be involved in the case of two siblings reported missing since leaving their residence in Hulu Selangor on Jan 1.
