The Borneo Post reported that the 57-year-old was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code for rape, which carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.

He allegedly committed the offence against his niece at a house in Petra Jaya between 2003 and June 21, 2009.

It is understood that he has been on the run since the victim lodged a police report on July 20, 2009.

The victim said she had been raped approximately seven times between 2003 – when she was seven years old – and June 21, 2009, when she was 12.

The accused changed his name and fled to Indonesia, where he obtained citizenship and had a foster family.

He was apprehended at KLIA on March 7 this year while preparing to depart for Indonesia.

His lawyer Abdul Rahman Hazmi applied for bail, arguing that his client no longer resided in the same area as the victim.

Deputy public prosecutor Aiman Mutallib Shariff objected, saying it was a non-bailable offence.

Judge Iris Awen Jon rejected the bail application and set case mention for April 21.