SEREMBAN: The case of a 51-year-old former supervisor who is charged with forcing a family of five to work in an oil palm plantation in Jempol will be rementioned at the Sessions Court here on May 12.
Judge Surita Budin decided on the new date after the court was told that the prosecution had yet to get a reply from the Attorney General's Chambers on a representation filed by the defence team to review the charges against the accused L. Jaya Seelen.
On Jan 10, Jaya Seelen claimed trial to five charges of human trafficking for labour exploitation when charged in the same court.
He had allegedly forced S. Veerasamy, 46; and A. Rajeswarii, 39; their daughters Anbarasi, 22; and Shasikala, 19; and son-in-law P. Aridasan, 30; to perform forced labour to pay off their debts.
Jaya Seelen, who was a supervisor at Ladang Bukit Tinggi Rompin in Jempol, had allegedly committed the offences between 2008 and Nov 11, 2021.
He was charged under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act, which carries a jail term of up to 15 years upon conviction.
When the case came up for remention on Feb 13, Gobinathan said the defence would be filing a representation to the AG regarding the matter.
The court then fixed March 13 for remention.
However, when the case came up on the said date, the court was again told that the reply from the AG's chambers was still pending.
The accused has since been out on a RM25,000 bail.
Goh Hsiao Tung prosecuted the case.
