Religious teacher charged with 8 counts of sexual assault, molesting students

Ahmad Fahmi Haron, a 52-year-old religious teacher, appeared before the Butterworth sessions court on Wednesday, charged with eight counts of sexual assault and outraging the modesty of young male students. The charges, spanning from May 2023 to January 2026, detail incidents of physical sexual assault and indecent exposure that took place within a school environment.

During the court proceedings, Haron opted to plead not guilty to the accusations, which were read out by Judge Ooi Sheow Yean. The alleged offenses include holding and rubbing the genitals of a 15-year-old male student between April and May 2024, a violation under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. This particular statute allows for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and potential whipping upon conviction.

Additionally, Haron is accused of using force against six students aged 13 to 17, touching their bodies without consent, including their buttocks, thighs, hands, and cheeks, and groping their genitals, all acts that fall under Section 354 of the Penal Code. This provision carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine, or a combination of both, if convicted.

The prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Amira Ruzaini Wan Abdul Razak, argued against granting bail for Fahmi, citing the involvement of underage students in the alleged crimes. However, Fahmi's defense attorney, Nazreev Najeeb, urged the court to consider his client's circumstances, noting that he had been transferred to the Seberang Perai Utara district education office and posed no threat to the victims.

The court ultimately set bail at RM45,000 with one surety, allowing Haron to be released pending the trial.