Bandar Seri Begawan - The ongoing trial against a Chinese couple accused of alleged human trafficking and abuse continued in the High Court yesterday with discussions over the rolling pin with a fifth witness, Inspector Susan.

Also, an additional witness - ASP Mariani from the Women and Children Abuse Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department - was also called in.

ASP Mariani stated that she was not aware that Haji Fatoni had received a call from a male Indonesian national reporting the abuse.

ASP Mariani was informed by the victim that a neighbour's domestic worker had in fact called the embassy about the abuse case. The domestic worker simply said that she could only see bruises on the victim, and that she herself had not witnessed any abuse taking place.

There was also no evidence or date pertaining to incriminating videos or photos found in any of the laptops, hard disk drives, CD-roms and a thumb receiver for a mouse.

The case has been fixed for further hearing on January 14, 2013, where police officers involved in the case will take to the witness stand followed by the victim's testimonial.

Chiew Wee Tat (purple Identity Card holder), and Teo Pin Pin (Green Identity Card holder), who are married, allegedly recruited and received a 37-year-old Indonesian woman to exploit through forced labour and servitude by means of force, physical abuse and deception against the victim sometime between November 2009 and March 14, 2011 at a residential flat.

Chiew Wee Tat is also said to have voluntarily caused hurt to the victim who was under his employment by slapping the victim's face and ears, kicking her legs, stomach, waist and her head, punching her stomach, head, buttocks and waist at the same residence between November 2010 and March 14, 2011.

Teo Pin Pin is also alleged to have assaulted the victim by hitting her buttocks and head with a plastic clothes hanger, hitting her body with a mop, and hitting her all over her body using a wooden rolling pin at the same residence between November 2010 and March 14, 2011 as well.

Teo Pin Pin then allegedly used criminal force on the victim by using a wooden rolling pin to poke the victim's private parts, with knowledge that the act will likely outrage the modesty of the victim, at their residence during the same time period.

The court had earlier allowed a B$10,000 bail set or two local sureties each for the defendants. Their passports have been impounded and they are required to report to the Women and Child Abuse Investigation Unit within the next two weeks.

The prosecution had earlier indicated it was intending to call 16 witnesses, while the defence was to call up four witnesses.

Deputy Public Prosecutors, Pg Hjh Hana Molina Pg Hj Mohammad and Dk Didi Pg Latiff prosecuted the case.

Legal representative, Ahmad Basuni of Abrahams Davidson and Company represented Chiew Wee Tat, while Philip Fong of Harry Elias Partnership represented Teo Ping Ping.

The trial is being presided over by Justice Dato Paduka Steven Chong.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin