Woman claims trial to prostituting foreigner

MIRI: A woman pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here yesterday on charges of prostituting a foreign woman.

Baxter Kiai, 28, from Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Bintulu is accused of living fully or partially off the income of prostituting Indonesian national, Rosna.

She allegedly committed the offence at 11.30pm on Jan 1 this year at the counter of a budget hotel in Jalan Bendahara here.

The offence is framed under Section 372A of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 15 years, whipping and a fine, upon conviction. Earlier, prosecuting officer ASP Koy Kok Ping applied for a new date for case management as the accused had pleaded not guilty.

Judge Steve Ritikos fixed Feb 2 for case management and trial from May 21 to 25 this year. The accused, meanwhile, was allowed to be released on bail of RM10,000 with two local sureties and RM5,000 payment as deposit.

Meanwhile, in the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday, Rosna also pleaded not guilty to charges of prostitution, allegedly committed in a room of a budget hotel at Jalan Bendahara on the same day and time.

The 33-year- old Rosna was charged under Section 372B of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of one year or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

As the accused had pleaded not guilty and requested to be tried in court, prosecuting officer ASP Mary Ong applied for a new date for case management. Magistrate Zuraini Ali Musa granted the application and set Feb 2 for case management.

The accused was allowed to be released on bail of RM5,000 with two local sureties. She was also ordered to report to the nearby police station once a week, while her passport was impounded by the court until disposal of the case.