Massage parlour owner pleads not guilty to trafficking in three Thai women

SUNGAI PETANI: An owner of a massage parlour pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to three counts of human trafficking, involving three Thai women, for exploitation.
Hum Kim Theng, 50, made the plea before Judge N Priscilla Hemamalini after the charges were read out to him separately by a court interpreter.
He was charged with trafficking in Orathai Ananchai, Bualaung Pongsrapang and Waraphon Seemuang with intention to exploit them at Hotel Park Avenue, Third Floor, Jalan Indah 2, Taman Sejati here at 9.30pm last June 23.
The charges were made under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking In Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrant Act 2007, which provides an imprisonment for up to 15 years and fine, if found guilty.
The prosecution, conducted by DPP Tan Sew Ping, did not request bail, but lawyer Chong Seng Ming, representing Hum, requested for his client to be allowed bail as he had to support his parents, wife and two
schoolgoing children.
The court then allowed Hum bail of RM10,000 and set Aug 18 for submission of documents. — Bernama