The 35-year-old accused claimed trial after the charges were read before Judge N Priscilla Hemamalini.

Today’s proceeding was held behind closed doors with all parties required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) because the accused had just completed his quarantine for Covid-19 at the end of May.

According to the charge sheet, the man was charged with 98 counts of inappropriately touching two boys aged 10 and 13, and two counts involving the exposure of private parts.

He was charged with committing the offences at several locations including an apartment in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, and the orphanage in Ipoh between Nov 1, 2020, and April 9 this year.

The charges were framed under Sections 14 (a) and 15 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, with a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

The court allowed the accused bail at RM34,000 with one surety for all charges, and set Sept 3 for mention.