Husband and wife Muslim Abdul Karim, 65, and Zaleha Mohamad, 54 have been accused and charged of trafficking and exploiting children at several religious schools around the country that the couple ran. Muslim, is chairman of the schools, Pusat Latihan Amal Bestari and Zaleha, the treasurer.
They are accused of forcing children between the ages of 11 and 13 to beg, and sell herbal medicine and Islamic calendars in cities as widespread as Ipoh, Kuantan, Raub and Kota Baru. Twelve of the victims are still living at the school.
During the raid by During an operation by police and the Welfare Department, 376 bottles of herbal medicine were found, along with 2 mobile phones, 2 cars, 2 passports, unidentified keys, RM2,993 and a log book that recorded each child’s begging activities.
In a dumbfounding twist, the legal defense of the couple, Shahril Adli Zain, was rather familiar with the case, as he had previously been the defense counsel representing the children when a protection order was issued. The sudden switch caught the attention of Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Abazafree Mohd Abbas. “To avoid embarrassment,” he told the count, “the defense counsel should reconsider if he still wants to continue representing the accused.” Zain has agreed, and has recused himself.
Well, now that that’s sorted, bail has been denied and a trial date set for 13 June.
