Kota Kinabalu: 71-year-old Ustaz, Ahmad Matali, pleaded guilty to two counts of physically sexually harassing two young girls at the Sessions Court on Tuesday.
Ahmad’s sentencing has been deferred to Feb 13 for facts of the case.
He is accused of harassing a seven-year-old girl on Oct 5, 2025, at a house in Papar, and a nine-year-old girl by kissing her in June 2025 along a roadside, also in Papar.
Under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, the offences carry a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping.
Ahmad has been remanded pending disposal of his case.
The prosecution initially objected to bail due to the seriousness of the charges but suggested RM10,000 per charge with conditions.
Ahmad was unrepresented, while Deputy Public Prosecutor Bryan Francis represented the prosecution.
