Three Vietnamese women, including two who are still legally married, were charged in the Magistrate’s Court on Monday over alleged involvement in prostitution and for breaching the conditions of their temporary social visit passes.
The accused, Pham Thi Thao Van, 22, Dang Thi Dien, 22, and Chao Thi Van, 22, appeared before Magistrate Aimi Nawwar Mohamad Othman.
No plea was recorded as the trio were unable to understand either Bahasa Malaysia or English.
According to the charge, Pham Thi and Dang Thi, both mothers of one child, together with Chao Thi, who is single, allegedly solicited customers for the purpose of prostitution at a hotel along Jalan Bakau Chondong at about 2pm on July 15.
They were charged under Section 372B of the Penal Code, which relates to soliciting for prostitution.
The three women also face separate charges under Section 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 for allegedly violating the conditions of their temporary social visit passes by engaging in prostitution at the same location and time.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Firdaus Ruslan appeared for the prosecution, while the accused were represented by lawyer Soh Zhi Yin.
The prosecution requested a new mention date to allow for the presence of a Vietnamese interpreter and did not offer bail for any of the accused.
The court allowed the application and fixed July 30 for the next case mention, pending the attendance of the interpreter.
