Viral video leads to court charge against soldier for child abuse

KOTA BARU: A 40-year-old soldier was charged at the Sessions Court here today with abusing his 5-year-old daughter by kicking her at an eatery last Friday.

The accused pleaded not guilty and requested a trial after the charge was read before judge Zulkifli Ablah.

According to the charge, the accused allegedly abused the girl, aged 5 years and three months, by kicking her at an eatery in Jalan Kuala Krai here at 10.55pm last Friday.

He was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, punishable under Section 31(1) of the same act, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Syazalia Che Suhaimin appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Zuhaidie Akmal Hasan Basri represented the accused.

Earlier, Syazalia did not offer bail, arguing that the case was serious and involved the accused's biological child.

In requesting a minimum bail, Zuhaidie Akmal said his client was a soldier who needed to support three children and a wife suffering from cancer and chronic kidney disease.

He added that his client had no prior record and was not a family abuser.

The court granted bail at RM10,000 with one surety, subject to additional conditions that the accused report to the nearest police station every two months, surrender his passport, and refrain from contacting the witnesses and the victim.

The court fixed Oct 22 for case mention.

Police had earlier tracked down a man and a young girl believed to be his daughter to assist in investigations following a viral video clip showing the man acting aggressively by kicking the child at an eatery.

The suspect was later arrested after surrendering at the Pengkalan Chepa police station last Sunday.