OKU didakwa cabul budak perempuan dalam masjid

On September 3rd, a 35-year-old man with disabilities named Khairul Asyraf Hashim was arraigned at the Butterworth Sessions Court for allegedly sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in a mosque. Khairul appeared before Judge Rohaida Ishak to admit his guilt. The victim was allegedly touched in a sexual manner in Masjid Jamek Haji Abdul Latiff in Permatang Pasir, near Butterworth, around 4 pm on that day.

Khairul is charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences (Children) Act 2017, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and whipping if found guilty. The prosecutor, Wan Amira Ruzaini Wan Abdul Razak, did not offer bail on the grounds that the crime was serious and took into account the victim's young age. Although Khairul had no familial relationship with the victim, he was often present at the location of the incident, according to Berita Harian.

Khairul's lawyer from the National Malaysian Assistance (YBGK) Fund, Naqieya Zulkernain, requested a minimum bond on the basis that Khairul's disabled son has language difficulties, is unemployed, and relies on his working elder brother for income, having no stable earnings himself. The risk of Khairul fleeing is minimal as he attended the court proceedings himself and cooperated fully with the police.

The court subsequently ordered Khairul to be sent to Hospital Bahagia in Tanjung Rambutan, Perak, for a mental health assessment before setting a date for the case to be revisited on October 14th.