Ipoh: A former administrative officer of a private college pleaded not guilty in the Magistrates' Court today to six charges of outraging modesty and committing sexual harassment through communication against six female students.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Roykarnaen Maseri, 44, entered his plea after the charges were read out before Magistrates S. Punitha and Norizan Riduan. For the first two charges, before Magistrate Punitha, Roykarnaen was accused of using criminal force with the intent to outrage the modesty of two female students, aged 19 and 22, inside an activity room at the college on August 5 and 6.

The charges were brought under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment, fine, or caning, or any combination of two punishments, upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Zulqarnain Wan Asmira proposed bail at RM10,000 with one surety for both charges and additional conditions prohibiting the accused from contacting or intimidating witnesses and victims. The accused is also required to report to the nearest police station monthly.

However, Roykarnaen's lawyer, Aiman Rusli, applied for total bail of RM3,000, citing his client's unemployment since August 17 and lack of income. Aiman highlighted that Roykarnaen was supporting his elderly parents and his immediate family. He also mentioned that the complainants had withdrawn their police reports against Roykarnaen on August 11, although he did not have documents to verify this.

The court then set bail at RM3,500 with one surety for both charges, along with the additional conditions sought by the prosecution, and fixed October 22 for the next case mention. Meanwhile, before Magistrate Norizan, Roykarnaen faced four charges of using sexually suggestive or obscene language against four female students aged between 19 and 22. These offences allegedly took place at various locations between June 18 and September 6.

The charges were brought under Section 507B of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor Zarris Sofea Zainudin proposed bail at RM10,000 with two additional conditions. The court set total bail at RM4,500 with one surety for all charges, along with the additional conditions sought by the prosecution, and fixed October 22 for case mention.