By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, August 5: Two bus drivers claimed trial in the High Court today to a charge of smuggling 13 Indonesians in a bus in February this year.
Junaidi Zawawi, 48 and Albenas Hendry, 27, pleaded not guilty to the charge framed.
High Court Judge Zaleha Rose Pandin fixed Sept 14 for pre-trial case management of the case and Nov 9 for the trial date.
She also ordered both of the accused to be further remanded until the next mention date.
They allegedly smuggled 13 Indonesians, aged between 24 and 56 years, in a bus at an emergency lane opposite Kampung Bedup heading to Serian, at about 9 am on February 13, 2020.
The duo were charged under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM) and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 26A of ATIPSOM, which carries an imprisonment term not exceeding 15 years and liable to fine, or both, upon conviction.
DPP Wan Imaan Ikhwan Iskandar Mirza prosecuted while Junaidi Zawawi was represented by counsel Voon Lee Shan and Albenas Hendry by counsel CM Sundram.-DayakDaily
