SHAH ALAM - A 61-year-old architect, Datuk Saiful Anuar Abdul Aziz, has pleaded not guilty to allegedly outraging the modesty of an 18-year-old son of a senior police officer at a gymnasium in Taman Melawati, with the court granting him bail of RM9,000.
Saiful entered his plea at the Ampang Magistrates’ Court on Oct 23, after the charge was read before Magistrate Siti Nur Ain Ariffin. The case had initially come to light after police began investigating the alleged incident on Oct 20.
What happened at the gymnasium?
According to the charge, Saiful allegedly used criminal force against the teenager with the intention of outraging his modesty.
The incident was alleged to have occurred at approximately 7.10pm on Oct 18, inside a sauna or steam room at a gymnasium located in a shopping mall in Taman Melawati.
Reports indicated that the victim had been visiting the gymnasium with a friend when the alleged incident took place.
The victim’s father, reportedly a senior police officer, is believed to have detained the suspect at the scene before handing him over to the authorities.
Ampang Jaya district police chief Assistant Commissioner Khairul Anuar Khalid confirmed the investigation on Oct 21.
“The case is still under police investigation,” he said briefly in a statement.
Two police reports were lodged at the Taman Melawati Police Station on the night of the incident. Investigators also seized a smartphone believed to belong to the suspect to assist their inquiries.
What charge does the accused face?
Saiful was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code for allegedly using criminal force with the intention of outraging the victim’s modesty.
If convicted, the offence carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, a fine, caning or any two of these punishments.
The accused pleaded not guilty, meaning the allegation remains to be determined through the court process.
Why was bail set at RM9,000?
During the proceedings, deputy public prosecutor M Ramanathan Alias Ashwin requested bail of RM15,000 with one surety.
The prosecution also sought additional conditions requiring the accused to refrain from contacting or interfering with the victim and prosecution witnesses, as well as surrendering his passport to the court until the case was concluded.
Defence counsel K Theivaendran opposed the proposed bail amount and requested a reduction, citing his client's responsibilities towards his 89-year-old ailing mother and younger sibling.
“I also object to the prosecution’s application for the accused to surrender his passport because my client has numerous overseas projects, including in Riyadh, but there is no risk of him absconding,” he said.
Ramanathan opposed the defence's position, arguing that the accused's overseas projects presented a potential flight risk. He also requested that court proceedings take precedence over the accused's professional commitments and personal affairs.
After considering submissions from both parties, Magistrate Siti Nur Ain granted bail of RM9,000 with one surety.
The court also approved the prosecution's additional conditions concerning contact with the victim and witnesses, as well as the surrender of the accused's passport.
When is the next court date?
The court fixed Nov 26, for the next mention of the case.
Until the judicial process determines the allegation, Saiful remains an accused person who has pleaded not guilty. The charge has yet to be proven in court.