FGV: Zakaria resumes duties next week Sex with pupils

PETRA JAYA (Sarawak) : A primary school teacher was yesterday charged in the sessions court here with 14 counts of molesting and outraging the modesty of five of his underage pupils between May and August this year.

Lai Chee Hiang (pix) 37, from Serian, claimed trial to three charges of having an 11-year-old boy perform oral sex on him at the school’s student affairs office and three counts of touching the boy’s private parts for sexual purposes at a classroom of the school.

The charges, under Section 377B of the Penal Code for committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature and Section 14(a) of the Sexual Crimes Against Children Act 2017, carry a penalty of up to 20 years’ jail and whipping .

Lai also claimed trial to touching for sexual purposes, the private parts of: a 12-year-old boy, in a classroom of the school in July this year; an 11-year-old boy, at the school’s storeroom sometime in August; a 10-year-old boy in a classroom in August; and another 10- year- old boy in a classroom sometime in August (two charges).

Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azhari Yusof urged the court not to grant bail.

Counsel K. C. Wong, who represented Lai, contended that the charges against him were bailable offences.

“There has been no complaint lodged against my client until recently. Until the offences have been proven, my client remains an i nnocent person,” Wong said.

Judge Shafiza Abdul Razak Tready denied the bail request.

She said the hearing date will be fixed when the case is called for mention in Kota Samarahan on Oct 25.