A 37-year-old Malaysian civil servant has been charged in court for allegedly outraging the modesty of a female intern in a bizarre incident that took place earlier this year. The accused, Mohamad Aznee Osman, is alleged to have made the inappropriate request at his workplace in Kuala Lumpur on 4 April 2025.
Aznee, who appeared calm in court, pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which pertains to words or gestures intended to insult the modesty of a person. If found guilty, he faces up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
Intern Allegedly Asked to Groom Hair Downstairs
According to the case details presented in court, Aznee had allegedly requested the intern to assist with grooming his hair downstairs — an act which stunned many upon being reported. The alleged incident occurred around 1.58pm within the premises of a government office.
Although the accused did not have legal representation at the time, he remained composed during the proceedings and maintained his not-guilty stance.
Bail Set at RM2,500 Amid Plea for Leniency
Prosecuting officer Inspector M. Alli Nangai proposed bail to be set at RM5,000 with one surety, along with a request for the court to fix dates for documentation and counsel appointment.
However, a representative from the National Legal Aid Foundation stepped in to appeal for a reduced bail, citing Aznee’s financial struggles. The court was told that Aznee earns only RM2,000 per month, is the sole provider for his family, and has three children — one of whom is disabled. His wife is currently unemployed.
Considering the circumstances, the magistrate agreed to set bail at RM2,500 with one surety. She also issued a stern warning that Aznee must not, under any circumstance, harass or contact the victim or any other witnesses involved in the case. Should any such complaint arise, the bail would be revoked immediately.
Case Draws Public Scrutiny
The shocking nature of the accusation has triggered widespread reactions online, with many netizens expressing outrage over the alleged abuse of power in the workplace. Concerns have been raised over the safety of interns and young employees, especially women, who may be vulnerable to inappropriate behaviour from senior staff.
This case has also reignited conversations in Malaysia about the importance of proper workplace boundaries and the urgent need for stronger protections against sexual harassment in the public sector.
The court has fixed a future date for document submissions and further proceedings. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are expected to gather more testimonies in the coming weeks.
This article will be updated as more details emerge.