Filipina charged with trafficking of teenage niece for exploitation

KOTA KINABALU: A Filipina who was charged with trafficking for exploitation of her teenage niece was denied bail by the Sessions Court here.

Nur Farini Dasid, who was seen holding something that looked like a travel document, told judge Azreena Aziz that she wanted to be released on bail.

The court interpreter, however, told her that the judge had already made the decision.

Earlier, the unrepresented accused had looked calm in the accused dock when given an opportunity to say something about her bail.

“I want a lower bail (saya minta dikurangkan jaminan),” said the accused, who denied trafficking for exploitation of her 16-year-old niece at a reflexology premises here in May.

The charge under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Husna Abdul Halim objected for the accused to be released on bail on the grounds that there was a chance that she may abscond if allowed bail as she is not a Malaysian.

The prosecution also urged the court to consider the plight of the victim in this case as she is a minor and related to the accused.

The judge fixed January 26-28 next year for trial.