close
close

Former youth vice president of the political party pleaded not guilty to sodomy and sexual assault

Former youth vice president of the political party pleaded not guilty to sodomy and sexual assault

KOTA TINGGI: The former youth vice president of a political party in Mersing district has been charged with nine counts of physical sexual assault and sodomy involving six male youths from 2017 to last March, Malay-language newspaper Sinar Harian reported.

Zuraidi Mazlan, 37, requested to be tried on the charges, which were read to him before Sessions judge Haida Farizal Abu Hassan on Tuesday, October 29.

According to the newspaper, four boys, aged 14, 15 and 16, allegedly physically sexually assaulted them seven times by touching their bodies, hugging them, kissing their cheeks and instructing one of the victims to perform oral sex on him. .

The investigation was conducted under Sections 14(a) and 14(d) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017, which provides for a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and caning on conviction.

The indictment also stated that Zuraidi was accused of having sexual intercourse against the order of nature by having sexual intercourse with 14-year-old twins without their consent.

These acts were reportedly committed at the Fishing Shelter in Kampung Penyabong, Mersing, between early 2017 and March this year.

The charges under Section 377C of the Penal Code carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years and caning on conviction.

While DPP Ahmad Khairuddin Khalid presided over the case, the accused was unrepresented.

Ahmad Khairuddin recommended bail of RM20,000 for each charge with additional conditions.

Zuraidi requested the discount because, in addition to personal health reasons, he had to take care of his 57-year-old mother, 56-year-old stepfather and his school-going child.

The judge granted Zuraidi’s bail of RM45,000 with additional conditions, including surrendering his passport to the court, submitting a monthly report to the Mersing district police headquarters, and a ban on contacting victims and witnesses.

The court set the next hearing date of the case, including the presentation of documents and the appointment of a lawyer, as December 11.