Bail denied for two men charged with abusing children

PUTRAJAYA: A security guard and a waiter were both denied bail by Sessions Court judge Yong Zarida Sazali after they were separately charged with sexually assaulting children under their care.

Zulkifli Bun, 52, was charged with committing physical sexual assault against a nine-year-old and against an 11-year-old.

He was alleged to have assaulted the children when they were at his wife’s day care centre in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya, on Oct 2.

He claimed trial to the offences, which come under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and whipping, on conviction.

The father of two pleaded for bail, saying he had to help his disabled wife.

Deputy public prosecutor Nordalina Ali urged the court to deny bail, saying the victims were still attending the same day care.

At the same special Sessions Court, a sushi restaurant waiter told the court that his wife ran away with their daughter after he was accused of sexually abusing the 11-year-old girl.

The 35-year-old father was charged with committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature and molesting the victim.

He pleaded not guilty to both offences, which were alleged to have occurred in late June, at the family home in Petaling Jaya.

DPP Nordalina Ali said she was unaware the mother and victim ran away, as the investigation papers stated they lived in the same home. She said that to keep the victim safe, the accused should be denied bail.