October 22, 2011, Saturday
KUALA LUMPUR: A tuition teacher pleaded not guilty at the Ampang Sessions Court here yesterday, to exploiting his Cambodian housemaid over a failure to pay her salary for nine months.
Lim Chee Chong, 42, who owns the ‘Cikgu Sim’ Tuition Centre, claimed trial to a charge of not paying Khy Sareth, 23, her salary from Nov 25, last year until Sept 2, this year, amounting to RM5,400.
He was alleged to have committed the offence in his house at No. 62, Jalan Pandan Indah, 5/18 Taman Pandan Indah at 3.45pm on Sept 2, this year.
He is said to have contravened Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which carries a maximum 15 years’ jail and fine, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Zuraini Ab Hamid requested the court to impose a RM20,000 bail in one surety and for the accused’s passport to be impounded.
“A hefty sum is appropriate as such cases are becoming rampant,” she said.
Keppy Wong, representing Lim, reasoned with the court to reduce the bail to RM3,000, as the accused was merely a tuition teacher and could not afford to pay a higher amount.
He said if the accused could not be freed on bail, his tuition pupils ranging from primary 1 to 6, would be affected. Nevertheless, Judge Sarimah Hashim decided in Zuraini’s favour, setting bail at RM20,000 in one surety, and ordered that Lim’s passport be impounded.
She fixed Nov 15 and 16 for the hearing. — Bernama
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