KLANG: The sessions court here ordered celebrity preacher Azman Syah Alias, also known as PU Azman, to enter his defence for two charges of committing sexual assault on a 17-year-old boy.
Sessions court judge Syafeera Said made the decision after finding that the prosecution succeeded in establishing its case against the accused.
“After hearing and examining the prosecution witnesses and all the evidence, as well as examining the prosecution’s arguments, the court decided that the prosecution succeeded in proving a prima facie case on the first and second charges.”
In the dock, Azman appeared calm as the ruling was read, and he was given three options – to testify under oath on the witness stand where he can be cross-examined; to testify from the dock; or to remain silent.
Azman chose to testify under oath on the witness stand.
He was charged with two counts of committing sexual assault on a 17-year-old boy at a homestay in Kampung Sungai Udang, here, at 12.15am and 1am on Feb 20 and June 29 last year.
The charges were framed under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
Syafeera then set Jan 12, 2024, for next mention of the case.
Seven prosecution witnesses were called to testify at the trial that began on Sept 5.
Deputy public prosecutors Nur Ayuni Jamri and Nurul Izzati Mohamad appeared for the prosecution, while Azman was represented by lawyer Zahid Ahmad.
Azman is also facing nine other similar charges, five in the Seremban sessions court, two in the Shah Alam sessions court, and one case each in the Klang magistrates’ court and Ampang sessions court.
