BANTING: Four men were charged in a magistrate’s court here yesterday with hiring 11 women from China to work in a pub without valid working permits.
Tan Chee Kun, 45, Tan Kim Huat, 41, Young Nam Kim, 46, and M. Ramanathan, 46, – all from Banting – claimed trial to hiring the women to work at Lot 1110.988, Beer Garden, in Jalan Jugra here on Dec 28 at 1am.
Prosecuting Officer Chief Insp Ranjit Singh said the four men had committed an offence under Section 55B(i) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and proposed bail at RM15,000 for each accused with one surety.
After they appealed for the bail to be reduced, Magistrate Norazmi Mohd Narawi set bail of RM10,000 each with one surety. He set Feb 17 for mention.
In the midst of the court proceedings, a man in his 50s seated in the public gallery caused a stir when he suddenly stood up and ticked off the accused for not standing properly.
“Is that the way to stand in court, you should put your hands by your sides,” the man yelled before he was escorted out by a police officer.
In the same court later, the 11 foreigners were also charged with failing to adhere to work permit requirements of the country which is an offence under Section 39B of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The women aged between 18 and 35 claimed trial to the charge, saying they were merely having a drink at the pub and were not employees of the outlet.
Magistrate Norazmi set Feb 17 for mention and ordered the women to be detained by the authorities pending their case in the court.
