The 64-year-old claimed trial after the two charges were read before judge Azman Mustapha, Utusan Malaysia reported.

On the first charge, he was accused of raping the victim at a house in Kuantan in April. The charge under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and whipping upon conviction.

He was also accused of sexually assaulting the victim at the side of a road in Kuantan that same month. The second charge was framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, which also provides for a maximum 20 years in prison and whipping upon conviction.

The judge decided not to allow bail for now but permitted the accused to submit an application once he has appointed a lawyer.

Case mention has been fixed for Oct 15.