The chairman and treasurer of Amal Bestari Training Centre based in Yan, Kedah, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to 12 charges of trafficking 12 local girls for the purpose of exploitation last October.
The married couple, Muslim Abl Karim, 66, and Zaleha Mohamad, 54, made the plea as soon as the charges were read out to them by an interpreter before Judge Murtazadi Amran.
The duo were jointly charged with 12 counts of human trafficking involving young girls aged between 11 and 13.
They allegedly committed the offences at No 133, Jalan Perajurit Timur 9, Taman Syabas Baru, here between 11.15 pm on Oct 7 and 1.45 am on Oct 8 last year.
The charge under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) 2007, carries a prison sentence of not less than three years but not exceeding 20 years and a fine, if convicted.
The Court did not allow bail on the two accused and set June 13 for mention.
Murtazadi said the court had taken into account that the victims were not placed at any protection centre, but living with their families and it could not be guaranteed that both the accused would not harass them.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutors Mohamad Abazafree Mohd Abbas and Nadia Zulkefli while both the accused were represented by counsel Shahril Adli Zain.
Earlier, Shahril appealed for low bail as the two accused had no permanent jobs but Mohamad Abazafree urged that if bail was granted, the amount should reflect the seriousness of the case.
Mohamad Abazafree said this was the first case in the country to involve a private organisation.
"Moreover, they will also be charged in Kuantan, Raub and Kota Bharu (this week) for the same offence," he added.
In October last year, a local newspaper reported that police had arrested two suspects believed to be involved in the trafficking and exploitation of 12 children to become beggars and sell herbal medicines and calendars.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon May 08 2017
The duo were jointly charged with 12 counts of human trafficking involving young girls aged between 11 and 13.
Tumpuan Isnin – 07 Oktober 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.
10 Berita Pilihan - (06 Oktober 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Israel serang lagi pinggir bandar Beirut ketika pertempuran di sempadan memuncak
Pesawat perang Israel giat mengebom kawasan pinggir bandar selatan Beirut awal Ahad, menyasarkan kawasan kediaman dan mencetuskan kebakaran yang berterusan hingga ke pagi.
Kabinet setuju komoditi kelapa di bawah Lembaga Koko Malaysia - TPM Ahmad Zahid
Jemaah Menteri bersetuju menstrukturkan Lembaga Koko Malaysia dengan memasukkan komoditi kelapa di bawah agensi itu.
PRESMA cadang ‘kedai mamak’ tidak lagi jual rokok
Persatuan Pengusaha Restoran Muslim Malaysia (PRESMA) mengesyorkan semua premis makanan naungannya agar tidak lagi menjual rokok di premis mereka.
8,500 premis diberi amaran - Dr Dzulkefly
Sejumlah 8,500 premis di seluruh negara diberi amaran kerana melanggar Akta Kawalan Produk Merokok Demi Kesihatan Awam 2024 (Akta 852) yang berkuat kuasa pada 1 Oktober lepas.
DAP tidak pernah cadang Kerajaan Perpaduan, selesa sebagai pengimbang di Johor - Loke
DAP tidak pernah mencadangkan agar Kerajaan Perpaduan ditubuhkan di Johor, sebaliknya parti itu selesa memainkan peranan sebagai pengimbang di negeri itu, kata Setiausaha Agung DAP, Anthony Loke.
Teo Nie Ching dipilih sebagai Pengerusi DAP Johor
Ketua Wanita DAP Teo Nie Ching dipilih sebagai Pengerusi DAP Johor bagi penggal 2024/2027 menggantikan Liew Chin Tong yang menyandang jawatan itu sejak 2014.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Ahad, 6 Oktober 2024.
Mohamad Hasan, Tengku Zafrul tiba di Vientiane untuk Sidang Kemuncak ASEAN
Kedua-dua menteri berkenaan tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Wattay pada 7.45 malam waktu tempatan (8.45 malam waktu Malaysia).
Dijanji pekerjaan ladang, tapi akhirnya dirantai dan didera
Tiga lelaki warga India yang disyaki menjadi mangsa pemerdagangan manusia di Lipis, Pahang mengisahkan penderitaan mereka yang bermula sejak tiba di negara ini pada Disember.