Azman, 41, clad in blue kurta and grey pants, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He is alleged to have committed the offence in a room at a resort in Hulu Langat here on July 22.

The charge, framed under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, if convicted.

Judge Norhazani Hamzah allowed bail of RM10,000 in one surety and also ordered him to report himself at the nearest police station once a month, not to intimidate witnesses in the case, and to surrender his passport to the court.

The court set Feb 10 for mention.

On Oct 12, Azman Syah was charged in the Seremban sessions court with five counts of committing sexual assault on two male teenagers.

On Dec 7, he was charged in the Klang sessions and magistrates’ courts with four counts of sexually assaulting three teenage boys between February and August.

Deputy public prosecutor Norhashimah Hashim prosecuted, while the preacher was represented by lawyer Zahid Ahmad.