Ustazah Charged with Three Counts of Sexual Assault Against 16-Year-Old Student

IPOH, Sept 28 – A 48-year-old religious teacher (ustazah) at a national secondary school was charged at the Ipoh Sessions Court on Monday with three counts of physical sexual assault against a 16-year-old male student committed two years ago.

The accused, Haslina Abu Bakar, pleaded not guilty to all three charges read before Judge Ainul Sharin Mohamad.

According to the prosecution:

• First Charge: Haslina is alleged to have committed physical sexual assault by kissing the boy on the mouth for sexual purposes in November 2024.
• Second Charge: She is accused of committing physical sexual assault by hugging the victim in December 2024.
• Third Charge: She is alleged to have committed physical sexual assault by making the victim touch her chest in November 2024.

All three alleged offenses took place at approximately 3:30 PM inside the Islamic Education room of a national secondary school in the Kinta district.

The charges are framed under Sections 14(a) and 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. If convicted, the accused faces a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years and whipping on each count.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Arfahanim Azureen Arfanuddin initially objected to bail, citing the non-bailable nature of the offenses, the severity of the charges, and the position of trust held by the accused as the victim’s teacher.

Defence counsel Amira Sofea An-Nur Ahmad pleaded for minimum bail, informing the court that Haslina is a primary breadwinner supporting six children aged between eight and 22 who are still studying. She added that the accused has no criminal record, suffers from high cholesterol and migraines, and has since been transferred to a different school far from the victim.

Judge Ainul Sharin granted bail at RM10,000 with one surety and fixed October 28 for case mention and submission of documents.

–NMT