{
  "id": 10399172,
  "title": "Religious teacher pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges involving 16‑year‑old boy in Ipoh",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/religious-teacher-pleads-not-guilty-to-sexual-assault-charges-10399172",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T07:54:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/28/religious-teacher-pleads-not-guilty-to-sexual-assault-charges-involving-16yearold-boy-in-ipoh/236877"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a case that has garnered attention in Ipoh, a religious teacher, Haslina Abu Bakar, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of physical sexual assault against a 16-year-old male student. The alleged incidents occurred two years ago at a national secondary school in Kinta.\n\nAccording to the charges, Haslina allegedly committed the assaults in November 2024. She is alleged to have kissed the victim on the mouth for sexual purposes, hugged him, and had him touch her chest. All of these acts took place in the Islamic Education room of the school.\n\nThe maximum penalty for these offenses, under Sections 14(a) and 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, is a 20-year prison term and caning. The Deputy Public Prosecutor, Nor Arfahanim Azureen Arfanuddin, did not grant bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the teacher-student relationship.\n\nHaslina's attorney, Amira Sofea An-Nur Ahmad, argued for a lower bail amount, citing the accused's responsibility as a mother of six, her health issues, and her role as the primary income provider for her family. She also mentioned that Haslina is currently employed at another school, has no prior criminal record, and has a good teaching record.\n\nThe court granted Haslina a bail of RM10,000 with one surety, set for a mention date on October 28.",
  "summary": "IPOH, Sept 28 — A religious teacher, known as an ustazah, at a national secondary school was charged at the Sessio...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Religious teacher charged with three counts of sexual assault against 16-year-old student",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/religious-teacher-charged-with-three-counts-of-sexual-assault-against",
        "published": "2026-09-28T06:14:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Religious teacher charged with sexual assault of student",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/religious-teacher-charged-with-sexual-assault-of-student",
        "published": "2026-09-28T07:04:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Religious teacher pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges involving 16‑year‑old boy in Ipoh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/religious-teacher-pleads-not-guilty-to-sexual-assault-charges",
        "published": "2026-09-28T07:54:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}