BUTTERWORTH: A couple was charged at the Sessions Court here today with peddling their daughter who is a Person with Disability (PwD) for the purpose of sex exploitation.
Both the accused, the step father and his wife, pleaded not guilty before Sessions Judge Nor Aini Yusof, and requested a joint trial.
They were alleged to have peddled their 20-year-old daughter for the purpose of sex exploitation at a house in Bukit Mertajam here between January and Feb 14.
The couple, who work as massage therapists, were charged under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Act 670), read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
If convicted, both the accused can be punished with life imprisonment or a sentence of no less than five years' jail and whipping.
Deputy public prosecutor Qatrin Nada Harun prosecuted, while both the accused were not represented.
The accused were released on RM15,000 bail each with one surety.
The court also ordered the accused to surrender their passports to the court and to report at the nearest police station at the beginning of every month until the case is closed.
The case will be mentioned on April 20.
