A CLERK pleaded not guilty at the magistrate’s court in Kuala Lumpur today to repeatedly hurting an Indonesian maid using an iron and hot water.

Loke Chee Hui, 43, who works with an employment agency, was accused of committing the offence in a house on Jalan Hujan Emas 3, Taman OUG, between March 3, 2022, and April 23, 2023.

She was charged under section 324 of the penal code, which provides for up to 10 years in prison, a fine, whipping or any two of the punishment, upon conviction.

Lawyer Varghese Onny, representing the accused, pleaded for bail on the grounds that the accused is a mother of four children, ages two to 15.

Magistrate Atiqah Mohamed@Mohamad Saim allowed bail of RM6,000 with one surety and fixed June 6 for mention.

In the Sessions Court, Loke and her husband, Lum Kah Wai, 44, also pleaded not guilty to trafficking the same maid for the purpose of forced labour at the same time and date.

The charge was framed under section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 2007, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years’ prison and a fine.

Judge Azura Alwi set bail at RM10,000 and one surety for each of them. They were also ordered to surrender their passports to the court and report to the nearest police station every two months until the disposal of the case.

The court fixed June 6 for mention.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Ahmad Hijrah Wan Abdullah prosecuted, while lawyer Varghese represented both the accused. – Bernama, May 5, 2023.