RELEASED ON BAIL: Lim and Chin (right) brought to the Sessions Court to face a charge of trafficking in children for the purpose of exploitation. — Bernama photos
BUTTERWORTH: Two of five people charged in the Sessions Court on Jan 25, with trafficking in children for the purpose of exploitation were released yesterday, pending trial after their respective sureties posted bail.
Lim Soo Chin, 52, who is facing one charge was released on a RM50,000 bail while D C Chin, 57, who is facing six charges, on RM300,000 total bail.
Judge Nabisha Ibrahim had set RM50,000 bail for each charge and fixed Feb 15 for re-mention.
Lim, Chin and two other women, Ooi Ah Imm, 47, and Lim Choon Liang, 63, and a man, Bahtiar Abas, 51, claimed trial to committing the offences at Taiping, Pantai Remis and Ipoh in Perak, Juru and Teluk Kumbar in Penang, and Lunas in Kedah between Dec 28, 2009 and Jan 16, this year.
The charges under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code carries a maximum 20-year jail term and a fine upon conviction.
On Jan 24, Penang police busted a syndicate selling babies and children here and in Kedah and Perak, with the arrest of 33 people.
Acting on public information and surveillance since early last month, the police also rescued eight babies and a child during the operation. Among the suspects, aged between 23 and 52, were a National Registration Department staff and a private medical centre doctor.
Initial investigations found the babies and children were sold for between RM18,000 and RM30,000, depending on their physical, facial appearance and gender, complete with registration and medical documents.
The syndicate which had been active since 2009, was believed to have offered between RM2,500 and RM4,500 to foreign women to conceive out of wedlock, as well as to women who needed money and were willing to sell their children.
Yesterday, the Bukit Mertajam magistrates’ court extended the remand of two women and a man suspected of being involved in the racket, for another seven days.
The rescued babies and children were also brought to the court for the Penang Social Welfare Department to obtain a temporary custody order. — Bernama