Elderly Man Pleads Not Guilty to Assaulting 14-Year-Old Girl in Melaka

In Ayer Keroh, Melaka, a 70-year-old man, Jaafar Taib, recently stood trial for the physical sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. The alleged incident occurred in early February 2023. Mr. Taib, who also suffers from heart problems, pleaded not guilty. The prosecution presented its case under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017, which carries a significant penalty. The Deputy Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Nazrin Ali Ibrahim, did not initially request bail, but the defense, representing Taib's five children, successfully argued for a reduced bail amount due to his health condition. The judge granted bail of RM10,000 with one surety, along with additional conditions. The case has been adjourned to July 16th for further proceedings. This case highlights the ongoing importance of child protection and the legal processes in place to address such serious crimes.