Former Youth Leader Charged with Sexual Offenses

On November 13, 2023, a former senior youth leader of a political party was charged in the Kota Tinggi Sessions Court with accusations of physical sexual assault and sodomy against six teenage boys, occurring between 2017 and March of this year. The accused, whose identity has not been revealed, pleaded not guilty after all charges were read separately before Judge Hadah Farizal Abu Hanan. Among the accusations is unnatural behavior involving twin brothers aged 14, allegedly committed in early 2017 at a fishermen's housing area near Kampung Penyabung, mersih Sabit. If found guilty, the accused faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years along with whipping. In addition, he is confronted with seven other charges of physical sexual assault against four other boys aged between 14 and 16 years. The court allowed bail for the accused set at RM5,000 for each charge and scheduled a date of December 11 for a mention of the case, indicating a potentially lengthy legal process for all parties involved.