Kangar:A government retiree has entered a plea of not guilty to three charges involving physical sexual assault and criminal force against two young girls. The charges were addressed in the Sessions Court today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Annuar Abdullah, 72, faced the charges before Judge Sharifah Norazlita Syed Salim Idid. The alleged incidents took place approximately two months ago. The first two charges accuse Annuar of committing physical sexual assault for sexual purposes against an 11-year-and-five-month-old girl at a residence on Lorong 4 Jalan Utama at 630 PM on August 11.

The third charge involves the use of criminal force against a 10-year-and-11-month-old girl by pulling her legs with the intent to outrage her modesty, at the same location, time, and date. The first two charges fall under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which could lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison and whipping upon conviction. The third charge, under Section 354 of the Penal Code, carries a potential 10-year prison sentence, a fine, whipping, or a combination of these punishments.

The court has set bail for Annuar at RM10,000 with one surety, requiring him to report to a local police station on the first day of each month. Additionally, he has been ordered not to approach or disturb the victims and prosecution witnesses until the case is resolved. The court scheduled November 24 for the mention of the case to submit relevant documents.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Alif Farhan Hassan is handling the prosecution, while Annuar is represented by lawyers Zuhair Ahmad Zakuan and Mohamad Alif Farhan Mohamad Supian.