The special aide to a DAP assemblyperson was charged in the Penang Magistrate's (Criminal) Court with committing sexual assault with the intention of outraging the modesty of a part-time waitress.

Prem Anand Loganathan, 50, who works for Paya Terubong assemblyperson Yeoh Soon Him, claimed trial to the charge before magistrate Catherine Nicholas this morning.

He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code for outraging the modesty of the 21-year-old complainant, who is also a private college student, at the car park of an entertainment outlet on Lebuh Pantai, Penang, on July 6.

Nicholas set bail at RM7,000 bail with one surety and fixed Aug 23 for mention of the case.

Initially, DPP Nurul Izzah Shaharuddin proposed that bail be set at RM10,000. She also proposed that Prem Anand reports to the police on a regular basis and be prohibited from contacting the complainant.

Prem Anand's lawyer E Gnasegaran shot down the proposal, saying it was "unreasonable".

"The purpose of the bail is to secure attendance. He was already on police bail and he appeared in court as requested.

"Bails should not be punitive in nature. There is no evidence that he wants to abscond, or that he wishes to contact the victim," added the lawyer.

Gnasegaran said it was the complainant who was found to be holding press conferences with politicians to share her grievances.

He then proposed a RM5,000 bail for Prem Anand.

The special aide, who was clad in a blue striped shirt and grey trousers, was accompanied by several supporters.

Gerakan national legal and human rights bureau chief Baljit Singh held a watching brief for the complainant.

Last Saturday, the student, who identified herself only as Tan, related her alleged ordeal at a press conference. Present were her father, boyfriend and Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Huan Cheng Guan.

She accused her assailant of forcefully kissing her, touching her private parts, masturbating and ejaculating on her.

“She also showed reporters the shorts she claimed she wore that night, which had a white stain on it,” the Star Online reported.