JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA - A 33-year-old businessman became the first person in the country to be charged under the new Anti-Trafficking In Persons Act 2007.

Ee Chin Kai, from Gelang Patah, claimed trial before a Sessions Court judge to two charges of trafficking in two 27-year-old Thai women for the purpose of exploiting them.

He is accused of having committed the offence at a house in Jalan Jingga 1, Taman Pelangi, here, at 3.10pm on March 25.

Ee faces a mandatory jail sentence of up to 15 years and a fine.

Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin set bail at RM25,000 for each charge and fixed Sept 17 for mention.

Meanwhile, a youth learnt an expensive lesson when he was ordered by a magistrate to pay a RM1,500 fine for stealing two bunches of bananas worth about RM40.

Mohd Sani Jamat, 25, had pleaded guilty to committing the offence at around 11.30am on May 11 at a banana plantation in Kampung Pok Besar, Tanjung Kupang.

Asked by magistrate Rasidah Roslee why he stole the bananas, Mohd Sani replied he only wanted to eat the fruit. She then fined him RM1,500 in default six months' jail. At press time, he had not posted bail.