KUALA LUMPUR: A couple was charged at the Sessions Courts here today with exploiting and abusing their Indonesian maid last year.
Scrap metal trader Lim Tuan Ann, 42, and his wife Lim Siew Lan, 41, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them before four separate judges - Mahyon Taib, Izralizam Sanusi, Emilia Kaswati Mohamad Khalid, and Suzana Hussin today.
Tuan Ann and Siew Lan were accused of exploiting and abusing the 26-year-old Indonesian at their house near Taman Batu, Sentul on Nov 24.
The offence falls under Section 12 and Section 13 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 which carries a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and fine.
The duo was also slapped with four charges of causing grievous hurt to the same person by using boiling water at the same place between Aug 1 and Nov 2020.
They were charged under Section 325 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum seven years imprisonment.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Nadia Zulkifli and Mohamad Shahrizzat prosecuted while counsel R. Sivaraj represented both accused.
The courts set RM12,000 and RM48,000 bail for Tuan Ann and Siew Lan respectively.
The court also fixed Feb 19 for mention.
In November last year, Sentul district police chief ACP Beh Eng Lai said police had successfully recued the Indonesian woman who sustained serious injuries on her body, believed to be from the abuse.
He said besides being assaulted, the victim also did not receive her monthly wages.