A couple is facing allegations of enslaving a woman and restricting her to a diet of Weetabix before her death. Chee Kit Chong and Angie Yeh Liaw have entered not guilty pleas to charges of slavery after an Indonesian woman was reportedly subjected to physical abuse, food deprivation, and forced to sleep in unfavorable conditions over a 10-month period. The victim, who was in Australia unlawfully, was initially invited to stay for one month in early 2022.
The couple, originally from Malaysia, purportedly exerted significant control over the victim’s life, compelling her to perform household tasks without compensation and maintaining her in unsanitary living conditions. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, passed away in 2024, unrelated to the ongoing legal proceedings.
During the trial, it was revealed that the victim was instructed to consume only Weet-Bix, a popular Australian breakfast cereal, while fulfilling her duties within the household. Prosecutor Shaun Ginsbourg SC detailed instances where Mr. Chong allegedly resorted to physical violence and coercion to enforce the victim’s compliance with his demands, resorting to punishment tactics such as withholding food and sleep.
One disturbing incident described in court involved Chong using a vacuum cleaner to strike the woman after she fell asleep while giving him a massage. Additionally, prosecutors alleged that he forced her to remain standing throughout the night as punishment for incomplete tasks and once confined her to the garage. Chong reportedly attributed the victim’s injuries to fictitious accounts when seeking medical assistance.
Chong stands accused of exploiting the woman as a slave, with his wife facing charges of aiding and abetting the offense. Defense attorneys representing Chong have contested various aspects of the case, disputing claims of mistreatment, sleep deprivation, and food restriction, as well as the accusations regarding the coerced repayment of the credit card debt. Chong’s legal counsel, Diana Price, suggested that the victim may have embellished certain details or provided inaccurate information.
The trial is ongoing.
