Viral video leads to court charge against soldier for child abuse
KOTA BARU: A 40-year-old soldier was charged at the Sessions Court here today with abusing his 5-year-old daughter by kicking her at an eatery last Friday.
A 40-year-old soldier faced court charges in Kota Bharu, Malaysia, for allegedly abusing his 5-year-old daughter by kicking her at a restaurant last Friday evening. The soldier pleaded not guilty and sought a trial, addressing the judge, Zulkifli Ablah. The charge alleges that the accused, identified as the man in a viral video, kicked the 5-year-old girl at Jalan Kuala Krai at 10:55 PM last Friday.
He faces charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum penalty of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor Syazalia Che Suhaimin represented the prosecution, while lawyer Zuhaidie Akmal Hasan Basri defended the accused.
Syazalia did not grant bail, citing the seriousness of the case and the involvement of the accused's biological child. Zuhaidie requested a minimum bail amount of RM10,000 with one surety, under the condition that the soldier, who has no prior criminal record and is supporting three children and a wife with cancer and chronic kidney disease, reports to the nearest police station every two months, relinquishes his passport, and avoids contact with witnesses and the victim.
The court granted bail at RM10,000 with one surety and set a case mention date for October 22. Following the viral video, police identified a man and a young girl believed to be his daughter to aid in the investigation. The suspect was subsequently arrested after surrendering at the Pengkalan Chepa police station on Sunday.
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