Kota Kinabalu: A 44-year-old navy retiree was charged with two counts of committing physical sexual harassment against his two daughters.
The man pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim to both charges against him on Thursday.
On the first count, the man is accused of committing the offence against his 13-year-old daughter by fondling her breasts at 4pm in of August this year at a house in Papar.
On the second count, he allegedly committed similar offence against another daughter, who was 14, by fondling and sucking her breasts as well as touching her private part.
The second incident allegedly took place at 3pm on Sept 1 this year at the same place.
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.
Due to the relationship between the man and the alleged victims, there is additional punishment under Section 16(1) of the same Act which provides for a jail term of up to five years, and whipping of at least two strokes, on conviction.
The court set Oct 21 for pre-trial case management and released him on bail of RM10,000 in two local sureties for each charge.
The man was also ordered to report to nearest police station every first Friday of the month and not to tamper with the prosecution’s witnesses.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Shafeerah Mad Iskim said if the court grant bail, she suggested RM10,000 in two local sureties for each charge.
The man who was not represented, asked for bail to be granted and the amount to be reduced, saying that he has seven family members to look after.
