A BUS driver who was arrested for allegedly uploading videos of the students he ferries on TikTok has been charged with two sexual offences at the Muar sessions court.
Astro Awani reported that the 24-year-old defendant, who was seen crying in the dock, pleaded not guilty as the two charges were read out by the interpreter in front of Judge Sayani Mohd Nor.
On the first charge, the defendant, who goes by the handle ‘Abang Bas’ on Tiktok was accused of sexual assault by kissing the cheek of a four-year-old girl, who is also his niece, between 5pm and 6pm in a school bus at Simpang Renggam, Kluang, between April and September.
The charge was framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, punishable with imprisonment for not more than 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
On the second charge, he was accused of constantly watching a nine-year-old girl for sexual purposes between 5pm and 6pm at the same location this month.
The charge was framed under Section 15(a)(iii) of the same Act, punishable with imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine not more than RM20,000, or both, if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Abdul Ghafar Latif requested the court to set bail of RM50,000 for each charge.
He argued that the case is serious and has drawn public attention, with various comments urging the authorities to take strict action.
Additionally, given that one of the victims is his niece, the prosecution requested an additional condition prohibiting the defendant from contacting the victim and her sister and mother, who are also prosecution witnesses.
Defence lawyer Umar Zulkarnain requested a lower bail amount as he said his client does not have a fixed income as a school bus driver.
Sayani fixed bail at RM30,000 for both the charges and set Oct 10 for re-mention of the case and submission of documents.
Last week, a video circulated on TikTok showing a man, believed to be a school bus driver, referring to a passenger, who is suspected to be a primary school student, as “crush” and “darling”.
The post received public backlash, with many deeming it inappropriate and potentially considered sexual harassment of a child.
Following this, the defendant was arrested by a team from the Kluang District Police Headquarters around 2:57am last Friday. – Sept 10, 2024
