TAWAU: The son of a Sabahan politician appeared before the Sessions Court here today, facing charges of sexual abuse against a form five female student on Dec 13 last year.
Mohd Nadzmi Abdul Manan, 25, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Judge Rosli Ahmad.
The accused was alleged to have exposed his genitals to the 17-year-old student in a four-wheel drive vehicle on the roadside along Jalan Pokas-Kuala Bebang, Semporna, at around 2.30pm on Dec 13, 2023.
He is being charged under Section 15(a)(i) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of up to RM20,000, or both upon conviction.
The accused, who was not represented, cried when he pleaded with the court to be granted bail.
"Your honour, I plead to be granted bail, please, your honour I want bail," he said.
However, deputy public prosecutor Mohd Suhaimi Suriana said they were not offering bail as the case was not bailable, seeing that the punishment period for the offence exceeded five years.
The court set March 12 for case management and mention.
