KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 — A Datuk Seri businessman claimed trial at the Magistrates Court here today to alleged molestation against his daughter through the use of criminal force and obscenity to outrage her modesty a year ago.

The 49-year-old businessman, Abdul Aziz Alla Pichai, was accused of committing the offences at a house in Taman Kosmo Jaya, Jalan Sentul between July 16, 2020 and January 9.

According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly used criminal force with the intention to outrage his daughter’s modesty at the house’s living room on July 16, 2020 for the first charge.

For the second charge, the accused allegedly committed the same offence against his daughter at the same house earlier this year on January 9.

As for the final charge, the accused was alleged to have used obscenity against his daughter with the intention to outrage her modesty while they were travelling in a vehicle on July 17, 2020.

The three charges were framed under Sections 354 and 509 of the Penal Code with the use of criminal force and the use of gestures with the intent to outrage one’s modesty.

A conviction under Section 354 could result in imprisonment for a term of not more than ten years or a fine or with whipping or with any two of such punishments.

As for Section 509, a conviction could result in imprisonment for a term of not more than five years or a fine or both.

The accused entered his plea before magistrate Wong Chai Sia.

Lawyer Datuk K. Ganesh held a watching brief for the victim while the accused was represented by lawyer M. Puravalen.

The prosecution initially offered bail at RM100,000 for all three charges, and for the court to confiscate the passport of the accused until the conclusion of the trial.

"The court must consider the status of the accused who is a successful businessman and owns several mini markets in the Klang Valley.

"If the court allows a lower amount of bail, the accused will take this case lightly,” deputy public prosecutor Mohd Josiendra Abu Senin argued.

They also applied to the court to issue a restraining order against the accused from interfering with potential witnesses throughout the trial.

During mitigation, Puravalen asked for the court to impose a lowered bail amount, arguing that his client had cooperated with the authorities throughout the investigation and had been released on police bail since his arrest.

Wong later allowed the accused bail of RM25,000 with one surety and for the accused to surrender his passport until the disposal of the case.

The court also fixed the case for mention on April 27.

Previously the victim initially went to the Dang Wangi police headquarters on January 14 and filed a report against her father, claiming he had sexually assaulted her five days earlier at her home.

She further said it was not the first time as the sexual and physical assaults had been ongoing for roughly 10 years.

Following her police complaint, the accused was arrested at his home in the capital city. 

He was remanded for two days and then released on police bail.

* A previous version of this story contained errors which have since been corrected.