TELUK INTAN: A retired teacher pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to 17 charges of sexual assault against seven female students aged 13 to 15.
Zaidi Abbas, 56, who is physically disabled, entered the plea after the charges were read out separately before judge Rafidah Che Aziz.
He was charged with committing the offences while in a position of trust as a teacher.
The alleged incidents occurred in a special room and the canteen of a secondary school in Langkap, in a vehicle in the surrounding area, and during a return trip from Teluk Intan between May 2024 and July 7, 2025.
The charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act.
Upon conviction, the offence carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping, with an additional sentence of between two and five years’ imprisonment and at least two strokes of the rotan.
Deputy public prosecutor Izzuddin Fakri Hamdan proposed bail of RM70,000 for all charges with additional conditions.
Defence counsel Koh Shean Wai appealed for bail to be reduced to RM1,000 per charge, saying his client supports a wife, mother and four school-going children on a monthly income of about RM4,000.
He said Zaidi had no previous criminal record and was not a flight risk.
Rafidah granted bail of RM40,000 for all 17 charges and ordered the accused not to intimidate the victims and to report to the nearest police station once a month pending disposal of the case.
The court fixed Dec 14 for mention and submission of documents.