Melbourne Couple Faces Slavery & Exploitation Charges in Victorian County Court
A trial has commenced in the Victorian County Court for a Melbourne couple, Chee Kit Chong and Angie Yeh Liaw, who face charges related to the alleged exploitation and slavery of an Indonesian woman. Prosecutors allege the woman was subjected to forced labor, physical abuse, and deprivation of food and sleep over a period from January to October 2022. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Trial Commencement and Charges
The criminal trial for Malaysian nationals Chee Kit Chong, also known as "Max," and Angie Yeh Liaw began on Tuesday in the Victorian County Court in Melbourne. Mr. Chong is charged with knowingly exploiting the woman as a slave between January and October 2022, and with three counts of assault. Ms. Liaw faces a charge of assisting or encouraging Mr. Chong in keeping the woman as a slave. Both defendants have entered not guilty pleas to all charges.
The alleged victim, a 61-year-old Indonesian woman whose identity is protected by law, passed away in 2024 due to circumstances unrelated to the ongoing trial. Her evidence, given to police, friends, and family before her death, is expected to be presented to the jury.
Prosecution Allegations
Prosecutor Shaun Ginsbourg S.C. outlined the Crown's case, alleging that the woman experienced beatings, food deprivation, and was forced to sleep on stairs or in a garage at the couple's Point Cook residence.
"The Crown alleges the woman was subjected to forced labor, physical abuse, and deprivation of food and sleep."
According to the prosecution, the woman was initially scheduled for a one-month stay with the couple in early 2022. However, Mr. Chong allegedly attributed the loss of a company credit card to her and informed her that she needed to work to repay this purported debt. Prosecutors stated that Mr. Chong then exercised significant control over the alleged victim, using threats and coercion to compel her to perform domestic services. They alleged that failure to meet his expectations resulted in punishments, including assault and deprivation of sleep and food.
Specific allegations include that the woman performed unpaid domestic duties such as cleaning, washing dishes, and childcare. She was also allegedly forced to massage Mr. Chong's legs or feet. Further claims suggest she was allowed only Weet-Bix for food at times, denied medical care, and restricted in her freedom of movement. Alleged physical assaults mentioned include Mr. Chong striking her with a vacuum cleaner, kicking her in the head, and knocking her head into a wall. Other alleged punishments involved being ordered to stand all night to prevent sleep and being locked in the garage. Mr. Ginsbourg also stated that Mr. Chong controlled the alleged victim's access to food and facilities, and on one occasion, allegedly told her she could leave if she paid one million dollars.
Medical clinics and a hospital reportedly documented the woman's various injuries during her final months residing with the couple. The woman's stay with the couple concluded in October 2022 following a nurse's report to federal police, which initiated the investigation.
Background and Vulnerability
The court heard that Mr. Chong and the Indonesian woman first met at a church in Malaysia, where the alleged victim served as a pastor, forming a "mother-son" relationship. Reports differ on the exact year of their first meeting, stating either 2015 or 2017. In 2017, she reportedly moved to Australia on a tourist visa to reside with the couple. The couple later returned to Malaysia without informing her, leading to her experiencing homelessness for four years.
In 2021, the couple reportedly informed the woman of their return to Melbourne and offered her a one-month work opportunity. Prosecutors stated that her unlawful immigration status, combined with homelessness, lack of independent income, and isolation from her family, rendered her vulnerable to exploitation.
Defense Arguments
Defense lawyers have contested several allegations made by the prosecution, including claims of abuse, sleep and food deprivation, and the account regarding the credit card.
Mr. Chong's barrister, Diana Price, stated that her client denies all allegations of assault and possessing a slave. She suggested to the court that the complainant might have reasons to exaggerate, embellish, or make untruthful statements. Ms. Price also questioned whether the woman's contributions to the household differed from what might be expected in a family comprising three adults and two young children.
Ms. Liaw's barrister, Daniel Gurvich KC, argued there was insufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to convict his client, stating the jury should return a not guilty verdict.
Defendants' Statements to Police
During police questioning, Mr. Chong reportedly stated that he had offered the woman accommodation due to her homelessness. He denied instructing her to perform tasks, stating that any such actions were her own initiative. He also provided explanations for her injuries, suggesting causes such as diabetes, falls, and an assault by homeless individuals.
Ms. Liaw informed police that she and Mr. Chong encountered the woman on the streets of Melbourne and offered assistance due to her homelessness. She denied restricting the woman's access to food.
The trial is ongoing.