Man charged with trafficking children for exploitation

KOTA KINABALU: A 70-year-old man claimed trial at the Sessions Court here yesterday to a charge of trafficking two Indonesian children for the purpose of exploitation.

Hii Hiong Ping, who appeared before Sessions Court judge Azreena Aziz, denied the charge when it was read out to him.

He is accused of committing the offence with another person named Harry, who is still at large, at a logging area in Kampung Melalia, Sipitang at 11.28am on October 2.

The two children, aged 14 and 12 years old, are reportedly brothers.

The offence falls under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, and is punishable with a jail term of not less than three years but not more than 20 years and also liable to a fine, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Khairuddin Idris offered RM20,000 bail and for the accused’s passport to be impounded.

In reply, counsel Shahlan Jufri for the accused, pleaded for a lower bail amount on the grounds that his client is a local and unemployed.

In view of his plea, the court fixed April 2-3 next year for trial and released the accused on RM20,000 bail with RM10,000 to be deposited in two local sureties, pending disposal of the case.

Meanwhile, two men were fined by the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday for separate charges of possessing syabu.

Magistrate Afiq Agoes imposed the sentence on all the accused persons after they pleaded guilty to each of their charges under Section 12 (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

The indictment carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a jail term of up to five years or both, upon conviction.

Faizal Halim was fined RM4,300, in default 12 months’ jail, for possessing 0.22 gram of syabu in front of a shop in Inanam on August 23.

Adrian Lo Thau, 40, was fined RM3,000, in default 10 months’ jail, for possessing 0.01 gram of syabu.

He was arrested at a house in Kampung Nosoob, Penampang on September 23.

Meanwhile, the same court fined three other men for consuming syabu.

Najib Sahirul, 22, Rajman Fainal, 29, and Jonassen Lo Thau Kit admitted to each of their charges under Section 15 (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

The indictment provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000 or a jail term of up to two years, upon conviction.

Najib and Rajman were fined RM1,800, in default, eight months’ jail each, while Jonassen was fined RM1,500, in default, six months’ jail.

The magistrate also ordered Najib and Rajman to be referred to the Immigration Department while Jonassen is to be placed under police supervision for two years.