Three teaching assistants and caretakers from a religious school in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan - arrested under the “Ops Global” raid - claimed trial to 14 charges of sexually assaulting five children aged between nine and 11.

The Star reported the trio - Muhammad Habib Noh Mohd Zairi, 21, Muhammad Khunais Fathie Khabil, 20, and Ahmad Nadzful Izham Azizan, 22 - pleaded not guilty before judge Surita Budin in the Seremban Sessions Court today.

According to the report, Habib faced four charges under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, while Khunais faced six charges and Nadzful three.

The offences were allegedly committed at the school between 2022 and 2023.

Habib was also charged with one count under Section 14(b) of the same Act.

The two sections refer to the offences of touching the body of a child for sexual purposes and making a child touch the body of another for sexual purposes.

Both provisions carry a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping.

RM12k bail each

The Star also quoted deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi as saying that the prosecution was not offering bail to the accused.

Nurul Balkis then proposed a bail amount of RM30,000 each if it were to be granted. She also requested additional bail conditions, including not contacting the victims or witnesses, reporting to the nearest police station, and surrendering their passports to the court.

In response, Surita set bail at RM12,000 for each offence with one surety and allowed the other conditions requested by the prosecution.

Last week, the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department raided 20 charity homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan associated with Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings and rescued 402 children and teenagers, including 201 boys and 201 girls aged from one to 17.

GISBH CEO, top leaders remanded 7 days

GISBH CEO, top leaders remanded 7 days

Bar backs RCI on 'house of horror', says may be tip of iceberg

Bar backs RCI on 'house of horror', says may be tip of iceberg

Sodomy: Zaid needles religious minister, comedian rebuts CEO

Sodomy: Zaid needles religious minister, comedian rebuts CEO

GISBH member pleads not guilty to threatening woman

GISBH member pleads not guilty to threatening woman

Remand extended for three women in child exploitation case

Remand extended for three women in child exploitation case

IGP: Welfare home victims found to suffer from physical, emotional abuse

IGP: Welfare home victims found to suffer from physical, emotional abuse