Zuraidi Mazlan, 37, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before judge Haida Farizal Abu Hassan, reported Berita Harian.

He is accused of seven counts of sexual assault on four teenage boys, aged 14 to 16, including touching their bodies, hugging them and kissing their cheeks.

These charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, punishable under Section 14(d) with imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping if found guilty.

Zuraidi is also accused of two counts of committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent against a pair of twins, aged 14.

The two charges were framed under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of between five and 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping if found guilty.

He is accused of committing all the offences at Perumahan Nelayan Kampung Penyabong, Mersing, between early 2017 and March this year.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Khairuddin Khalid appeared for the prosecution while the accused was not represented.

The court fixed bail at RM5,000 for each charge and ordered the accused to surrender his passport pending the conclusion of the case.

The accused was also ordered not to tamper with the witnesses and to report to the Mersing police headquarters every month.

The court then set Dec 11 for case mention, submission of documents, as well as appointment of a defence counsel.