IPOH: A senior assistant teacher responsible for co-curricular activities at a vernacular school pleaded not guilty today in the Sessions Court to two charges of physical sexual assault against a 12-year-old female student.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Teh Chau Teik, 37, was accused of hugging the student from behind and kissing her in a classroom at 6:40 a.m. on September 11, 2024. A similar incident allegedly occurred on September 26, 2024, in another classroom at the same school. The charges fall under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), which stipulates a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and whipping upon conviction. The charges are also framed under Section 16 of the same law, which mandates a prison term of up to five years and at least two strokes of the cane upon conviction.

Judge Jean Sharmila Jesudason set bail at RM7,000 and instructed Teh to report to a police station once a month. He has also been ordered not to intimidate the witness involved
in the case. The court has scheduled January 17 for mention. Deputy Public Prosecutor Qurratu’aini Khalifah is leading the prosecution, while lawyer S. Teeban Kummar is representing Teh.