Kota Kinabalu: A 61-year-old man was charged with committing physical sexual harassment against an underaged girl.
Mohd Yaakob Sidi pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan, Friday.
Mohd Yaakob is accused of committing the offence against the 17-year-old girl by kissing her at 9.30pm on April 1 inside a lift of an apartment in Putatan.
The offence under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 provides for a jail term of up to 20 years, and whipping, on conviction.
The court set May 29 for mention and released Mohd Yaakob on bail of RM6,000 in two local sureties.
Mohd Yaakob was also ordered to report to the nearest police station once a month and his passport, if any, to be kept by the court pending the disposal of his case.
The court also warned Mohd Yaakob not to tamper with the prosecution witnesses.
Earlier, counsel Mohd Al Hafidz Mohd Lokman who represented Mohd Yaakob, in applying bail, informed the court that Mohd Yaakob has eight children and that his wife was a housewife.
Mohd Al-Hafidz told the court that Mohd Yaakob will not run away as his family will ensure his presence in court.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Shafeerah Mad Iskim appeared for the prosecution.