A FEDERAL Reserve Unit (FRU) corporal and four Indian nationals pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here on Friday to charges of trafficking seven individuals for the purpose of sexual exploitation last month.
The accused — S Kobinath, 34, an FRU officer based in Cheras; Mathan, 21; Thanaletchumy, 57; Vasanthy Shanmukham, 44; and Muniswary, 25 — entered their pleas after the charges were read to them in Tamil before Judge Azura Alwi.
According to the charge sheet, the group is accused of jointly trafficking seven individuals, aged between 30 and 40, for forced sexual exploitation at a hotel on Jalan Ampang at around 1am on 30 September.
The charge is framed under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of between 15 and 20 years and a possible fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Habibullah Mohammad Shah proposed bail of RM20,000 for Kobinath, noting his status as a public servant. However, the prosecution did not offer bail to the other four, citing their status as foreign nationals.
In mitigation, lawyer RM Muniandy, representing Thanaletchumy, requested a lower bail sum, stating that his client suffers from vertigo, a slipped disc and hypertension.
Separately, lawyer Erickka Farrise Amir, appearing for Mathan and Vasanthy, argued that her clients would comply with all court proceedings. “Mathan is facing other charges, so I am only appealing on behalf of Vasanthy at this stage,” she told the court.
Kobinath’s lawyer, P Muniswer, told the court that his client is the sole caretaker for his ailing parents, aged 68 and 75, with his father suffering from heart disease.
Muniswary, who was unrepresented, said she had no immediate family in Malaysia and currently lives with friends.
After hearing all submissions, Judge Azura granted bail of RM10,000 to Kobinath with one surety, while allowing Thanaletchumy and Vasanthy bail of RM20,000 each with two sureties due to their foreign status.
However, no bail was granted to Mathan and Muniswary, pending special circumstances warranting consideration.
The case has been fixed for mention on 17 November. - October 17, 2025
