Low Fatt Tham, 76, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him in Mandarin by a court interpreter before judge Sayani Nor, Harian Metro reported.

Low is accused of committing the offence on the 16-year-old student inside his taxi after it stopped at a traffic light on Jalan Mohd Salim in Kluang at about 8.20pm on May 13.

He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Diyana Najihah Fauzi prosecuted while Low was represented by lawyer Nursyidah Muslim.

The accused was allowed to post bail at RM10,000 with one surety but was ordered to report to the nearest police station every month and barred from contacting prosecution witnesses, particularly the victim, until the case is concluded.

The court set Sept 4 for mention.