Helping to operate brothel: 9 years each for 3 men

Kota Kinabalu: Three men were jailed nine years each by the Sessions Court on Monday for assisting to operate a brothel. Judge Azreena Aziz meted out the sentence to Lau Kahy Cheng, 42, Chok Ka Loong, 29, and Chin Chen Kok, 31, after they were found guilty of the charge against them.

They were found helping to operate the prostitution premises at 8.55pm on Aug 8, 2015 at a house in WK Commercial Centre in Jalan Bundusan, Penampang.

The offence under Section 373(1)(a) of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to 15 years and fine, on conviction.

During mitigation, counsel Hairul Vaiyron who represented the trio, asked for a light sentence to be imposed on his clients saying that all of them are breadwinners for their family.

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However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Husna Abd Halim urged the court to hand down a heavy sentence on the grounds that the offence committed by them was very grave and heinous in the eyes of society, which was assisting in the management of the brothel.

She said the trio had tarnished the country's image especially Sabah which is specifically a tourism destination.

Husna also submitted that the prostitution activity also may lead to trafficking-in-person cases.

The court allowed the application for a stay of execution with the condition that the previous bail be fully deposited.

Eight prosecution and three defence witnesses were called during the hearing.

In the same court, a 64-year-old man was fined a total of RM10,000 in default six months' jail for allowing two illegal immigrants to remain in his premises.

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Lo Ngap Chai, who is the manager of JW's Corner, pleaded guilty to permitting the 18-year-old man and the 37-year-old woman to stay in his premises at Damai Plaza, Luyang on Aug 9, 2016.

Prosecuting Officer Juachim Abel Majain from the Immigration Department appeared for the prosecution.

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