'Abang Bas' Cries In Court After Being Charged With Sexually Abusing Children
The judge allowed the accused to post bail.
By Sadho Ram — 10 Sep 2024, 12:01 PM
A 24-year-old TikTok-famous school bus driver in Johor, who was charged with sexually abusing children at the Muar Sessions Court today, 10 September, started crying after the charges were read out
He was charged with two counts of sexually abusing children since April, reported Kosmo!
The 24-year-old pleaded not guilty as soon as the charges were read before Judge Sayani Mohd.
The accused was seen looking down and wiping his tears.
According to the first charge, he is alleged to have kissed a 4-year-old girl on the cheek.
It is reported that the girl is his niece.
The accused committed the act on a school bus in Simpang Renggam, Kluang district, sometime between April and September 2024. The crime occurred approximately between 5pm and 6pm.
The accused was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and whipping, as outlined in Section 14 of the same act.
For the second charge, the accused is alleged to have repeatedly observed a 9-year-old girl for sexual purposes between 5pm and 6pm on the same school bus at the same address earlier this month.
He was charged with a Serious Sexual Non-Physical offence under Section 15(a)(iii) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. If convicted, the accused faces a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM20,000, or both, as per Section 15 of the same act.
Screenshot of one of his videos, where he filmed a primary school girl with the caption, "Today my crush is doing her homework".
Image via Screenshot/SAYSThe judge allowed the accused to post bail at RM30,000
The prosecution had proposed a bail of RM50,000 for each charge, citing the public attention and controversy surrounding the case. They also requested additional conditions, including the accused not disturbing the victims or witnesses and reporting to a police station monthly.
The defence argued for a lower bail due to the accused's financial situation as a school bus driver.
The court granted bail at RM30,000 for both charges with the requested additional conditions.
The case was adjourned until 10 October for a mention and document submission.
The 24-year-old school bus driver, known as 'Abang Bas' on TikTok, was arrested in Johor last week. Read more about it here:
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am - 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm - 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am - 11.30am), Saturday (2pm - 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm - 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.