'CEO Batu' claims trial to indecent exposure involving teen
The accused, Muhammad Iqbal Muhamad, 22, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read before Judge Norshila Kamarudin.
According to the charge sheet, Muhammad Iqbal allegedly committed non-physical sexual abuse by exposing his genitals to the teenager near Sunway Batu Caves at 1.16am on May 16.
He was charged under Section 15(a)(1) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM20,000, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie requested bail to be set at RM10,000 with one surety, citing the accused's public profile and the virality of the case.
However, defence lawyer Mohd Anih Rafih appealed for a reduced bail of RM6,000, arguing that his client was currently unemployed and that his social media accounts had been suspended by the authorities.
"The accused is also caring for his grandfather, who suffers from a heart condition and requires monthly treatment at the National Heart Institute.
"He is willing to comply with additional bail conditions, including reporting to the police and surrendering his passport.
"Furthermore, he will not interfere with prosecution witnesses, as his mobile phone has been seized and he no longer has access to his social media platforms," said the lawyer.
The court set bail at RM6,000 with one surety and imposed further conditions prohibiting contact with the victim and requiring the accused to report to the police once a month until the conclusion of the case.
The court set Aug 14 for case mention.
It was earlier reported that the influencer had been arrested for allegedly sending obscene messages to a 14-year-old girl. He was initially remanded on May 23.
The arrest followed public backlash after fellow influencer and singer Caprice exposed screenshots of messages allegedly sent by Muhammad Iqbal to the teenager.
Caprice claimed he was contacted by the girl's mother, who sought his help after her daughter was allegedly sexually harassed by the influencer.
Among the screenshots shared on social media were explicit messages and an indecent image allegedly sent by the accused, purportedly to show a surgical scar.
The influencer was also said to have sent a follow-up message apologising to the girl's mother and requesting a meeting to resolve the matter.
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