SEREMBAN: A 45-year-old man claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to three counts of commiting physical sexual assault against his two young daughters.

The accused, who works as a shop assistant, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before Judge Surita Budin on Wednesday (July 9).

For the first two counts, he was charged with committing the offences against his elder daughter when she was 12 in 2022 and again the following year.

He allegedly committed the offences at their rented flat in Senawang between 1am and 2am.

For the third charge, he allegedly committed a similar act against his 10-year-old daughter at the same place at around 1am early this year.

The accused was charged under Section 14(a) and (b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi then offered the accused bail of RM20,000 for each charge pending mention.

She also asked that the accused be ordered to stay away from the victims, to report at the nearest police station once every month till the case is disposed of and to surrender his passport to the court, if he had one.

She said the alleged victims were now under the care of their mother in Johor. The couple split in 2018.

The accused who was unrepresented asked for a low bail as he could not raise the proposed amount.

He also told the court he was bankrupt and had defaulted on rent and utility bills.

Judge Surita then allowed bail of RM39,000 for all three charges and fixed Aug 11 for mention and to allow the accused to appoint counsel.