Kota Kinabalu: A 54-year-old shop owner, her husband and their son were charged in the Sessions Court here on Wednesday with seven counts of trafficking three undocumented children for forced labour exploitation.
Julidah Linggam, 54, her husband Liau Hong Ket, 63, and their son Keyond Liau, 34, pleaded not guilty to all the charges before Sessions Court Judge Monica Linsua.
The alleged offences were committed at J. Linggam Mini Market in Kampung Melaman, Sipitang, between 2019 and April this year.
Six of the charges involved three children — two boys, including a Filipino national, and a girl.
The charges alleged that the trio jointly trafficked the children for the purpose of forced labour exploitation during various periods.
The Filipino boy was allegedly trafficked when he was between 12 and 15 years old, from January 2019 to Feb 21, 2022, and again when he was between 15 and 17 years old, from Feb 22, 2022 to November 2024.
The other boy was allegedly trafficked when he was between nine and 12 years old, from January 2019 to Feb 21, 2022, and again when he was between 12 and 16 years old, from Feb 22, 2022 to April 21 this year.
The girl was allegedly trafficked when she was between 10 and 13 years old, from January 2019 to Feb 21, 2022, and again when she was between 13 and 17 years old, from Feb 22, 2022 to April 21 this year.
The charges involving the children were framed under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The offences carry life imprisonment or a jail term of not less than three or five years, depending on the charge, as well as whipping upon conviction.
The seventh charge involved the Filipino national, who was no longer a child, and allegedly took place between December 2024 and April 21 this year.
That charge, also involving alleged forced labour exploitation, was framed under Section 12 of Atipsom, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The offence carries imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Syarifah Nursyuhada Tuan Mamat applied for a pre-trial case management to obtain directions from the Attorney-General’s Chambers on whether the seven cases should be consolidated for trial.
The prosecution initially submitted that the offences were non-bailable, but proposed bail of RM10,000 on each charge for each accused should the court decide to grant bail.
Counsel Dominic Chew, representing all three accused together with counsel Ariel Dasan, applied for a lower bail.
Chew said Julidah owned the premises, while Liau and Keyond worked as shop assistants. He added that the family was facing financial difficulties and was not a flight risk.
The court fixed Oct 14 for pre-trial case management and allowed each accused bail of RM3,000 for each charge.
They were also ordered to surrender their passports to the court, report to the Immigration enforcement authorities once a month and refrain from interfering with prosecution witnesses.
