Harian Metro reported that Ampang sessions court judge Wan Norisham Wan Yaakob said the prosecution had successfully proven a prima facie case against Ong Su Ping, 56, and Sang Yoke Leng, 53, under Section 13 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) and Section 55B(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

However, Ong was discharged of charges of attempted murder and causing grievous hurt to Meriance Kabu by extracting her teeth with pliers.

In delivering his decision, Wan Norisham said the prosecution had successfully demonstrated that Ong and Sang hired Meriance, who was 32 at the time of the incident, through an agent and subjected her to violence and forced labour.

He noted that despite Meriance’s serious injuries, both the accused did not grant her any time off and imposed demanding work hours on her. She was also confined to the house without any means of outside communication.

“The victim was forced to perform squatting exercises naked… (Ong) boiled chilies and forced the victim to eat them with rice while watching her,” said Wan Norisham.

“The victim was also forced to eat from a dog bowl.”

He added that while Sang witnessed the abuse carried out by Ong, she did nothing to prevent it. Instead, she also physically abused Meriance – who was not provided medical treatment.

On the immigration offence, Wan Norisham said both the accused had failed to provide Meriance with a work permit from when she was employed in May 2014 to when she was rescued in Dec 2014.

Ong and Sang face a maximum of 20 years in jail, a fine, or both, if convicted under the human trafficking charge.

The duo face a maximum of 12 months in jail, a fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000, or both, if convicted under the immigration charge.

Both defendants were given three options: to give evidence under oath, provide an unsworn statement from the dock, or to remain silent.

Lawyer S Preakas, representing both defendants, requested that his clients be allowed to decide at the next mention date on August 19.

Deputy public prosecutor Anisah Pisol appeared for the prosecution.

Wan Norisham said the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Ong for both the attempted murder charge (under Section 307 of the Penal Code) and the grievous hurt charge (under Section 320 of the Penal Code), with the prosecution also failing to present the court with the pliers mentioned in the charges.

Wan Norisham also noted that the victim’s allegations were based solely on her own testimony without support from other witnesses.

Ong and Sang were granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to the human trafficking, grievous injury and attempted murder charges seven years ago.

They were charged again on Jan 6, 2023.