KANGAR: Two friends, one of whom is an underage girl, have pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here on Friday (July 12) to two charges of trafficking underage girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
For the first charge, Shakila Latiff, 25, and her 17-year-old friend were charged with trafficking a 16-year-old girl for sexual exploitation at a hotel in Persiaran Jubli Emas at 6.20pm on July 2.
For the second charge, the two accused were charged with committing the same act involving a 14-year-old girl in a separate room at the same hotel at 6.25pm on the same date.
They were charged under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for life imprisonment or imprisonment for a period of not less than five years and whipping if convicted.
The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Alia Suzila Chek Pi, while the accused were not represented.
Judge Musyiri Peet allowed both accused to be bailed at RM15,000 with one surety for the first charge and RM10,000 with one surety for the second charge.
The two accused were also required to report to the nearest police station every month and are prohibited from approaching prosecution witnesses and victims.
The court has fixed Aug 22 for the next mention of the case. – Bernama
