Vincent Sak Zhan Sheng, 22, pleaded not guilty after the charges against him were read before judge Hidayatul Syuhada Shamsudin, Kosmo reported.

On the first two counts, he is charged jointly with five others of conspiring to traffic two teenagers aged 15 and 16 for labour exploitation at a house on Jalan Lagenda 34, Taman Lagenda Putra in Kulai from April to May 23.

The charges were framed under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom), read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provide for five to 30 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.

Sak was also charged with the other five with having common intention to traffic a 26-year-old man for labour exploitation at the same location between March 23 and May 23.

The charge was framed under Section 12 of Atipsom 2007, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.

The prosecution was carried out by deputy public prosecutor Amirah Tasnem Saleh, while Sak was represented by lawyer Freda Sabapathy.

The court allowed bail of RM10,000 for each charge, and ordered Sak to surrender his passport, report once a month to a police station, and refrain from disturbing the victims and witnesses until the case is disposed of.

It set Jan 13 for re-mention of the case.