Judge Azura Alwi ordered scrap metal dealer Lim Tuan Ann, 45, and his wife, Lim Siew Lan, 44, to enter their defence finding that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing its case against them.
“After hearing and evaluating the testimony of the prosecution witnesses, the court is satisfied that the prosecution has succeeded in proving a prima facie case against the two accused under Section 12 and Section 13 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007 respectively, as well as the charges under Section 325 and Section 326 of the Penal Code against Siew Lan.
“Therefore, the court orders the two accused to enter their defence against the charges,” the judge said.
She also told the couple that they have three options: either to remain silent and not answer to the charges, give an unsworn statement from the dock without being cross-examined by the prosecution, or testify under oath from the witness stand with the prosecution allowed to question them in cross-examination.
The couple opted to testify under oath from the witness stand.
Deputy public prosecutor Wan Ahmad Hijrah Wan Abdullah appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi represented the couple.
Tuan Ann was charged with trafficking the 26-year-old maid for exploitation as forced labour, while Siew Lan was charged with committing a similar offence by using force at their house in Taman Batu, Sentul here on Nov 24, 2020.
Tuan Ann was charged under Section 12 of Atipsom, which carries the possibility of up to 15 years in prison and a fine if found guilty, while the charge against his wife was framed under Section 13 of the same act, carrying a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine, if convicted.
Siew Lan was also charged with four counts of voluntarily causing grievous hurt to the Indonesian woman, including by splashing her with hot water, at the same place between Aug 1 and Nov 13, 2020.
The charges were framed under Section 325 and Section 326 of the Penal Code, which provide for imprisonment of up to seven years and 20 years, respectively, plus a fine or whipping, upon conviction.