Habib Noh Zairi, 21, Khunais Fathie Khabil, 20, and Ahmad Nadzful Izham Azizan, 22, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them before judge Surita Budin.

The trio, who are teaching assistants, are accused of committing the offences at a religious school in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, reported Utusan Malaysia.

The charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for touching the body of a child for sexual purposes, and Section 14(b) of the same Act for making a child touch the body of another for sexual purposes.

The offences are punishable with imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.

Habib was charged with five counts of sexual assault on three boys between the ages of nine and 10 in 2022.

Nadzful was charged with three counts of sexually assaulting two boys, both aged 10, between June and December 2023.

Khunais was slapped with six counts of sexually assaulting two boys, both aged 11, in 2023.

The court fixed bail at RM12,000 for each charge in one surety and ordered the accused not to interfere with prosecution witnesses and victims.

They were also ordered to report to a police station monthly until the conclusion of the case.

Deputy public prosecutors Nurul Balkis Zunaidi and Noraziha Asmuni appeared for the prosecution while all three accused were unrepresented.

The court fixed Oct 30 for re-mention of the case, submission of medical reports as well as appointment of defence lawyers for the accused.