Utusan Malaysia reported that judge Jean Sharmila Jesudason made the ruling after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Muhazzam Shah Salem, 40.

She said the court found inconsistencies and gaps in the prosecution’s case that were not explained by police investigations or the statements of prosecution witnesses, especially that of the victim.

The court also ordered for the bail of RM5,000 to be returned to Muhazzam.

Muhazzam pleaded not guilty on Dec 31, 2021 to charges of sexually assaulting and raping a 17-year-old girl.

According to the first charge under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, he sexually assaulted the girl in the bedroom of an apartment in Bukit Permata Lumut at 11pm on Dec 17, 2021.

According to the second charge under Section 376 of the Penal Code, he also raped the girl at the same date, time and place.

Muhazzam was represented by lawyers Haresh Mahadevan and Ramzani Idris.

Sixteen prosecution witnesses, including the victim and her aunt, had given their statements since the case was first heard.