Influencer ‘CEO Batu' claims trial to flashing minor
KUALA LUMPUR : A 22-year-old social media influencer has pleaded not guilty in the Ampang sessions court to showing his genitals to a 13-year-old two months ago.
Iqbal Muhammad, known by his online moniker 'CEO Batu', claimed trial after the charge was read to him before judge Norshila Kamarudin this morning.
He was accused of committing non-physical sexual harassment against the child by showing his private parts with the intention of being seen by the victim.
The incident allegedly took place at Sunway Batu Caves at around 1.16am on May 16.
Iqbal was charged under Section 15(a)(i) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, a fine not exceeding RM20,000, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie proposed bail of RM10,000 but Iqbal's lawyer, Anif Rafih, pleaded for a lower amount of RM6,000.
Anif told the court that his client only earned around RM3,000 a month as an influencer and that the authorities had banned his social media accounts and seized his mobile phone.
The lawyer said Iqbal also supported his grandfather who suffers from a heart ailment and receives treatment at the National Heart Institute once a month.
Norshila allowed bail of RM6,000 and ordered Iqbal to report to the nearest police station every month. He is also not allowed to reach out to the victim.
The court fixed Aug 14 for the submission of documents.
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