00:01A 61-year-old architect has denied molesting the 18-year-old son of a senior police officer
00:08at a gym in Taman Melawati.
00:10Datuk Saiful Anwar Abdul Aziz pleaded not guilty at the Ampang Magistrate's Court on Friday.
00:16He is charged with using criminal force on the victim with intent to outrage his modesty
00:22in the steam room of a gym at a shopping centre in Taman Melawati.
00:26The alleged offence took place at about 7.10pm on October 18.
00:31The charge falls under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries up to 10 years jail,
00:38a fine, whipping or any two of these punishments upon conviction.
00:42Deputy Public Prosecutor M Ramanathan alias Ashwin sought RM15,000 bail with one surety.
00:50He also asked that the accused not harass the victim or prosecution witnesses
00:55and surrender his passport.
00:58Defence counsel K.T. Vendran argued for lower bail, saying the accused supports his family,
01:04including his ailing 89-year-old mother.
01:07He added that his client has projects overseas, including in Riyadh,
01:11and there is no risk of him absconding.
01:14Magistrate Siti Noor Ain Arifin set bail at RM9,000 with one surety
01:20and allowed the prosecution's additional conditions.
01:23The case will be mentioned on November 26.
