SEREMBAN - Celebrity preacher PU Azman pleads not guilty at the Sessions Court today to five charges of sexually assaulting two teenage boys in February and July this year.
Azman whose real name is Azman Syah Alias made the plea before judge Datin Surita Budin after the charges were read out by an interpreter.
He was charged with three counts of committing physical sexual abuse by performing extreme obscene acts including stimulating the 17-year-old victim.
The offences were allegedly committed in the living room and toilet of a house in Taman Tiara Sendayan in Nilai between 3am and 5am on July 6.
He was also accused of committing a similar offence against the 16-year old victim at the living room of the house at the same time and also between about 8.30pm and midnight on Feb 5 inside the room at the same place.
The offence under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 carries a jail term of not more than 20 years and shall also be liable for whipping.
Deputy public prosecutor Husni Fairos Ramly requested the court to impose high bail amount on the accused which was RM15,000 for each charge because the offence was committed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017.
Azman's lawyer, Mohamad Zahid Ahmad however asked for the quantum of the bail be lowered as his client's income has been affected since he was remanded last month adding that he needed the help of his family to bail him.
"He was also present today (Wednesday) and gave excellent cooperation," he said.
The court then set bail at RM40,000 for all charges and barred Azman from approaching the victims.
In addition, the accused must report to the nearest police station every month and hand over his passport to the court.
The court also set Dec 8 for the mention.