Woman acquitted of baby trafficking

KLANG: A woman was acquitted and discharged, without being called to enter her defence, by the Sessions Court here today on a charge of trafficking a 10-day-old baby boy, four years ago.  

Judge Siti Noraida Sulaiman concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove any element of exploitation or trafficking as stated in the charge against 59-year-old restaurant worker Lee Chew Ean.    

Lee was charged under Section 14 of the Anti Trafficking in Persons Act 2007 with trafficking the baby boy in Sekinchan, Kuala Selangor, about noon between Dec 19 and 31, 2008.   

The offence was punishable by a minimum of three years and maximum of 20 years in prison and possible fine, upon conviction.  

In her judgment, Siti Noraida said the two main witnesses, the couple who had adopted the baby, testified that they were genuine in adopting him and had no intention to exploit him.     

She added that the couple had said they loved the baby and took good care of him and admitted to paying an 'old auntie' RM25,000, but it was not Lee.

The had explained that the money was to cover delivery costs for the baby's biological mother, she said.    

Siti Noraida further concluded that the police had also testified that the baby was healthy, normal and not abused or injured in any way.  

Ten prosecution witnesses were called to testify throughout the trial.  

Lee was represented by Mohd Rafik Rahem.