15 years’ jail for forcing children to beg

IPOH: A married couple was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each and fined RM28,000 each after they pleaded guilty in the sessions court yesterday to 28 counts of forcing children aged 11 to 17 to sell various items in four locations nationwide.

Muslim Ab Karim, 67, and his wife Zaleha Mohamad, 55, held the posts of chairman and treasurer respectively of Pusat Latihan Amal Bestari in Yan, Kedah.

They were alleged to have exploited the children as beggars to sell items such as calendars, oils and herbal medicine.

In passing sentence, judge Murtazadi Amran said their intention may have been good but they broke the law by using children.

DPP Mohamad Abazafree Mohd Abbas told the court such unlawful activities was a serious offence and public interest must be considered. However, their lawyer, Zamri Idrus, asked the court to consider the age of the accused, who are both suffering from health problems.

“By pleading guilty, they have saved the court’s time and other costs. They are also first time offenders and regret their actions.”

The couple admitted to committing the offences in Ipoh and Taiping in Perak, Raub and Kuantan in Pahang and Kota Baru in Kelantan.

A total of 19 children were involved, including 12 girls and seven boys. P. Chandra Sagaran