2009/07/10
PUTRAJAYA: Two local men were separately charged in the Sessions Court here today with human trafficking and reaping profit from the activity.Mohd Nazeri Mat Hussein, 50, of Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, is alleged to have trafficked a Myanmar, Mohd Ikbal Mohd Ali, 29, behind the wholesale market complex at Km12, Jalan Ipoh, Sentul, at 11.30am on April 22. He faces a second charge of exploiting Mohd Ikbal for RM1,500 profit at the same place and time.
Meanwhile, Azhar Yusof, 32, of Selama, Perak, is charged with trafficking another Myanmar, Mohd Rafik Nor Aslam, 26, in front of the Maybank branch in Jalan 2/3 Bandar Baru Utara, Km12 Jalan Ipoh, Sentul, at 1.30pm on April 10 and exploiting him for a RM1,500 profit. The offence of trafficking under section 13 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007 carries a maximum 20 years and a fine on conviction while exploitation under section 15 carries a maximum 15 years jail and liability of a fine of up to RM500,000. Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dasuki Mokhtar asked the court to deny bail in both cases because both the accused were members of a syndicate which ran a network for human smuggling and trafficking.
"I fear that if they are released on bail, it could frustrate the police investigation. This is a serious case and the government takes a very serious view of such cases," he said adding that the court's decision should reflect the government's seriousness in tackling human trafficking. Judge Fathiyah Idris disallowed bail and fixed Aug 10 for mention. Mohd Nazeri and Azhar were unrepresented.
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