A police inspector has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to eight counts of rape, involving two Mongolian women.
Insp Hazrul Hizham Ghazali, 30, also pleaded not guilty on Thursday (April 30) to a charge of using criminal force on one of the victims.
For the first until sixth charges, Insp Hazrul was accused of raping a 20-year-old victim in a room at PJ Luxe Boutique Hotel here on April 11.
For the seventh to eighth charges, he is accused of raping a 36-year-old victim in a different room at the same hotel on the same day.
Each rape charge was framed under Section 376(2)(f) of the Penal Code which covers the offence of raping a woman with her consent obtained using a position of authority.
A conviction could result in imprisonment for a term of between 10 and 30 years as well as whipping.
As for the ninth charge, Insp Hazrul is accused of using criminal force on the 20-year-old victim with intent to outrage her modesty.
He allegedly committed the offence inside the tent of frontliners manning a roadblock at the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) toll between 5.30pm and 6.15pm on April 10.
The charge under Section 354 of the Penal Code carries a maximum jail of up to 10 years or a fine or whipping or any two of such punishments upon conviction.
Hazrul, dressed in a blue T-shirt and jeans, did not speak to the media. He wore a mask, as did everyone else in the courtroom.
Aside from two reporters, the media was not allowed to sit in the public gallery because of social-distancing rules.
DPP Mohd Asnawi Abu Hanipah did not offer bail on grounds that the accused is facing eight counts of rape and involving abuse of position.
“There is a possibility of the witnesses being harrassed,” he said.
Lawyer Shah Rizal Abdul Manan, who represented the accused, said the accused had come to court on his own accord.
“He came to court today after receiving a call asking him to do so. No excuses were given, and this shows his sincerity,” Shah Rizal said.
He said his client had been charged by a Klang Sessions Court yesterday which granted him a RM20,000 bail.
“My client has already paid the bail by asking money from his friends and family. He would not abscond. I ask this court to grant bail at the lowest amount,” he added.
Sessions Court judge Norshila Kamaruddin fixed bail at RM27,000 in one surety for all charges.
The cases are fixed for mention on June 2.