Electronics company director Azhar Mat Taib and his wife, Zuzian Mahmud, both 59, pleaded not guilty before judge Sabri Ismail, Bernama reported.

They were jointly charged with trafficking Indonesian national Seni, 47, for exploitation as forced labour at a house in Kota Perdana, Seri Kembangan, on Oct 19.

The were charged under Section 13(a) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provide for five to 30 years’ imprisonment and caning, if convicted.

The court allowed Azhar and Zuzian bail of RM20,000 with one surety each and also ordered them to surrender their passports and to not intimidate witnesses.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Nur ‘Ayuni Jamri, while lawyer GS Gabriel represented the couple.

The court set Nov 28 for mention of the case.