22-year-old Malaysian influencer, CEO Batu pleaded not guilty at the Ampang Sessions Court today (July 10) to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl last May by sending her explicit images.
According to the charge sheet, CEO Batu, whose real name is Muhammad Iqbal, was charged with committing non-physical sexual assault on the girl, who was 13 years and 10 months old at a residential unit in Sunway Batu Caves at 1:16 AM on May 16.
It is an offence punishable under Section 15(a)(i) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum imprisonment of 10 years or a maximum fine of RM20,000 or both if Iqbal is found guilty.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie asked the court to set the bail amount at RM10,000 with a local guarantor. However, the accused’s lawyer, Mohd Aniq Rafih, asked for a lower bail of RM6,000, considering that Iqbal is just an influencer who only earns RM3,000 a month.
His income, however, has been affected by the case since it made headlines in May, and his mobile phone is still confiscated by the police.
“Apart from that, the defendant also looks after his grandfather who suffers from diabetes and heart disease.”
The court set bail at RM6,000, and told Iqbal that he must report to the police station every month and that he is prohibited from disturbing the prosecution witnesses.
The matter has been scheduled for document submissions on August 14, reported Harian Metro.
In May, screenshots of conversations between CEO Batu and the minor girl went viral, in which the former allegedly showed his private part under the pretence of showing his surgical wound. He then told the victim’s mother that he had forgotten to crop the sensitive part out.
