Eight individuals, including two foreigners, plead not guilty to trafficking 43 Indonesians for labour exploitation in Klang, facing up to 20 years in prison.
KLANG: Eight individuals, including two foreign nationals, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to trafficking 43 Indonesians for labour exploitation.
The accused are Ng Thir Ngin, 45; Ng Chun Hou, 44; Mohd Syakir Hanin Mohd Wazer, 39; Lim Wei Jian, 28; Lim Xin Jie, 30; and Ng Ser Wei, 48, along with foreign nationals Ismaidah, 37, and Siti Nurjanah Menah, 36.
Ng Thir Ngin faces charges for exploiting all 43 victims, while the other accused face varying numbers of charges involving the same group of Indonesians.
All are accused of trafficking victims aged between 21 and 44, taking advantage of their vulnerability to human trafficking dangers.
The alleged offences occurred in Bandar Bukit Tinggi 2, Bandar Bestari and Bandar Botanik in Klang on October 10 and 11.
They were charged under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Dayana Mohamed proposed RM10,000 bail for each charge and requested the foreign accused surrender their passports and report to police.
Lawyer T. Harpal Singh, representing all accused, requested reduced bail amounts imposed collectively for each client.
The court granted total bail of RM470,000 and imposed additional conditions on the two foreign nationals.
The case has been set for mention on January 16 next year.
Media previously reported that 49 Indonesian women were rescued in a raid by the D3 Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Division.
All victims reportedly suffered emotional distress and were locked up after being tricked by a syndicate promising them jobs.
