World · Malaysia Bureau
Tahfiz teacher pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges involving minors
A religious school teacher in Malaysia has entered a not guilty plea to charges of sexually assaulting two young pupils. Ilyas Jamaludin is accused of committing the offences against boys aged 10 and 11 over a two-month period.
LSN Malaysia ·
Ilyas Jamaludin appeared in court on Tuesday to face allegations of sexual assault involving two male students at a tahfiz school. The 45-year-old instructor allegedly committed the offences between July and August 2026. Both victims were under 12 years of age at the time of the alleged incidents.
The defendant maintained his innocence during the hearing, with his legal team signalling they would contest all charges. Prosecutors presented initial evidence regarding the timeline and circumstances of the allegations, with investigators indicating they had gathered statements from multiple witnesses at the institution.
The case has drawn attention to safeguarding protocols at Islamic boarding schools in Malaysia. Education authorities have previously issued guidelines on child protection measures, though enforcement varies widely across different institutions nationwide.
The court scheduled the next hearing for early next month, with prosecutors indicating they intend to call witnesses during the trial proceedings. The defendant was granted bail pending further court dates.