Two friends, including an underage girl, pleaded not guilty in the Kangar Sessions Court in Perlis today to two charges of trafficking two underage girls for sexual exploitation.

Shakila Latiff, 25, and her 17-year-old friend were charged with trafficking a 16-year-old girl for sexual exploitation at a hotel along Persiaran Jubli Emas at 6.20pm, July 2.

The two accused were also charged with committing the same act involving another 14-year-old girl in a separate room at the same hotel at 6.25pm, on the same date.

They were charged under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code which provides for life imprisonment or imprisonment for not less than five years and whipping.

The prosecution of the case was handled by deputy public prosecutor Alia Suzila Chek Pi, while the accused were not represented.

Judge Musyiri Peet allowed both accused to be bailed at RM15,000 with one surety for the first charge and RM10,000 with one surety for the second charge.

The two accused were also subject to additional conditions, having to report to the nearest police station every month and are not allowed to approach prosecution witnesses and victims.

The court fixed Aug 22 for the re-mention of the case.

- Bernama

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