A 22-year-old salesman pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to three counts of deceiving a man and two teenagers for alleged labour exploitation between March and May.
Vincent Sak Zhan Sheng entered his plea before Judge Hidayatul Syuhada Shamsudin.
For the first two charges, Sak and five other individuals allegedly conspired to traffic a 15-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy for labour exploitation at a house in Taman Lagenda Putra, Kulai, between April and May 23 this year.
These charges were brought under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a life sentence or a minimum of five years’ jail and whipping upon conviction.
In the third charge, Sak and the same five individuals were accused of trafficking a 26-year-old man for labour exploitation at the same premises between March 23 and May 23. This charge falls under Section 12 of Atipsom 2007, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine, if convicted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Amirah Tasnim Saleh initially requested bail of RM75,000 with conditions, including monthly reporting to the police, surrender of his passport and a prohibition on contacting witnesses and victims.
Defence counsel Datin Freda Sabapathy appealed for a lower bail, arguing that Sak earns RM3,500 monthly and supports his single mother. She also requested that he be allowed to retain his passport as he frequently travels to China for work.
The court set bail at RM30,000 for all charges and upheld the additional conditions. The case will be mentioned again on January 13 next year for submission of documents.
