KOTA KINABALU: A 71-year-old ustaz pleaded guilty in the Sessions Court on Tuesday to two charges of physically sexually harassing two young girls in Papar last year.
Ahmad Matali entered his plea before Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan. Sentencing was deferred to Feb 13 pending the presentation of case facts.
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On the first charge, Ahmad is accused of committing the offence against a seven-year-old girl at a house in Papar at about 6.30pm on Oct 5, 2025. The second charge involves a nine-year-old girl, whom he allegedly kissed by the roadside in Papar in late June 2025.
The offences fall under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
Ahmad was ordered to remain in remand pending the disposal of the case. The prosecution objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offences but proposed bail of RM10,000 for each charge with conditions if granted. He was unrepresented in court.
