By CHAN LI LEEN
IPOH: Four people claimed trial to possessing 176 DVD duplicating machines and a computer intended for producing videos infringing copyrights.
Chuah Siong Zoon, 36, his 26-year-old Chinese national wife Ye Yin Hua, her sister Ye Cai Hui, 22, and Indonesian maid Leli Herlina, 25, pleaded not guilty to committing the offence under Section 41(1)(g) of the Copyright Act 1987.
They were said to have committed the offence at house No 50, Jalan Bongor, Pasir Puteh here on Aug 8 at about 3.35pm.
If convicted, they can each be fined up to RM20,000 and jailed a maximum 10 years, or both.
Prosecuting officer Asst Superintendent Jamaluddin Osman asked the court to deny bail to the three foreign women.
However, defence counsel Lai Sue Ann told the court that Yin Hua had just given birth on April 20 and was still breastfeeding her four-month-old daughter.
“She needs to be at home to do so,” she said, adding that Leli Herlina was a domestic helper and was also needed at home.
“She does not have her passport with her as the maid agency is holding it,” added Lai.
Lawyer Nicholas Leong, who acted for Cai Hui, said his client was merely visiting her elder sister, who had just given birth, when the incident took place.
“She has been employed by a company in Kuala Lumpur since July 12, 2007, and has a valid working permit,” he said, adding that his client had arrived here on Aug 6.
Magistrate Noor Aini Yusof offered bail at RM8,000 in one surety each and ordered that the bailers for the three women should be Malaysians.
She also ordered the women’s passports to be impounded until the end of trial. All four posted bail and hearing was fixed for Oct 28.
