Ahmad Fairus Abu Zaik, 44, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out before magistrate Nurshahida Rahim at the Kangar magistrates’ court today, reported Berita Harian.

He was slapped with four sexual assault charges for allegedly touching a 13-year-old student’s genitals on four separate occasions in the media room of the school in Simpang Empat, Kangar.

The incidents allegedly occurred between Sept 13, 2023 and Nov 27, 2023.

In the fifth sexual assault charge, he was accused of touching another student’s genitals at the same location in November 2023.

The charges under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 read together with Section 16(1) of the same act provide for a 20-year prison sentence and whipping upon conviction.

Nurshahida allowed Ahmad Fairus bail of RM12,000 with one surety for all five charges and set March 3 for case mention.

The prosecution was carried out by deputy public prosecutor Nabilah Ahmad Poad while the accused was represented by Alif Farhan Supian.