Restaurant owner denies molesting part-time female worker

KOTA KINABALU: A restaurant owner claimed trial in the Magistrate's Court here yesterday to molesting his part-time female worker.

Leong Sau Vui, 58, who appeared before magistrate Afiq Agoes, was accused of molesting the victim, 22, at the restaurant in Penampang on June 24.

The indictment came under Section 354 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to 10 years or with a fine or with whipping or any two of the punishments, upon conviction.

The court fixed September 14 for case management and released the elderly accused on RM2,800 bail with two local sureties.

The court also ordered the accused to report once a month at the nearest police station, pending disposal of the case.

In a separate case, three men were charged at the same court with committing offences under the Money Lenders Act 1951.

Tang Hang Kiung, 56, pleaded not guilty to operating money lending business by offering a loan to a 44-year-old man without any licence at a restaurant at Taman Suria Shop in Penampang at 8.45am on August 22.

The accused was charged under Section 5 (2) of the said Act which is punishable by a maximum fine of RM1 million or a jail term of up to five years or both, upon conviction.

Meanwhile, another two accused persons claimed trial to their separate charges of assisting in illegal money lending activities by keeping the borrowers' bank cheques.

Tie Kiong Tuing, 56, and Alikanca Zaman, 44, were alleged to have committed the offences at the same time and place.

Their charges under Section 29AA (1) of the same Act carry a maximum jail term of two years or a fine or both, upon conviction.

The court set October 16, September 20 and 25 for pre-trial case management for the accused persons, respectively, and were granted RM2,500 bail each, pending disposal of their cases.

Prosecuting officer Inspector Nur Hidayah Mahzan prosecuted while counsel Aida Jaafar Mad Ariff represented all the accused persons.