Kota Kinabalu: The High Court affirmed the acquittal of a 70-year-old man from two counts of trafficking two minors for the purpose of exploitation, three years ago.Judicial Commissioner Leonard David Shim upheld the Sessions Court’s decision on Hii Hiong Ping, after the court did not find any appealable error on the part of the lower court’s decision in finding there was no prima face case in acquitting Hii.
The prosecution had appealed against the decision by the Sessions Court to discharge and acquit Hii from the charges.
On July 26, 2018, Hii was freed without his defence being called.
Hii is accused of trafficking the two boys aged 12 and 14, at a logging area of Kg Melalia in Sipitang at 11.28am on Oct 2, 2017.
He allegedly committed the offence together with one Harry, who is still at large.
The offence, under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling Migrants Act 2007, carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine on conviction. Hii was represented by counsel Shahlan Jufri.
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