Man Charged in Sandakan With Trafficking Malaysian Teen and Three Foreigners for Sexual Exploitation

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2026 — A 32-year-old man has been charged at the Sandakan Magistrate’s Court with trafficking four people, including three minors, for sexual exploitation.

The accused, identified as Chu Nyuk Sheng, was brought before Magistrate Nur Faezah Jafry on Friday. No plea was recorded after the charges were read, as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Sessions Court.

Chu faces three charges involving the alleged trafficking of minors for sexual exploitation. The victims include two 15-year-old girls, one Malaysian and one foreigner, as well as a 17-year-old foreign girl.

The three charges involving minors were framed under Section 14(1) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, also known as Act 670. If convicted, the section provides for life imprisonment or a minimum jail term of five years, along with whipping.

For the fourth charge, Chu is accused of trafficking a 30-year-old foreign woman for sexual exploitation. The charge was brought under Section 12 of Act 670, which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years and a fine upon conviction.

According to court details reported by Malay Mail, a police team from the Criminal Investigation Department raided a hotel in Bandar Sandakan at around 10.45pm on May 14, where they arrested the suspect and rescued four victims.

The Star reported that the three underage victims were allegedly trafficked at Hotel City View in Sandakan at about 10.45pm on May 14. The victims were identified as a 15-year-old Malaysian girl and two undocumented girls aged 15 and 17.

For the fourth charge, The Star reported that the 30-year-old Indonesian woman was allegedly trafficked at Hsiang Garden Hotel in Bandar Leila at about 10.15pm on the same day.

Court documents stated that police conducted the raid following intelligence gathering. The accused was allegedly found controlling the victims before he was arrested.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ong Teik Yi appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented during the proceedings. The court denied bail and fixed June 15 for the case to be mentioned at the Sessions Court.

The case has drawn attention because it involves alleged trafficking for sexual exploitation, including minors. Human trafficking cases involving children are treated seriously under Malaysian law because they involve exploitation, abuse of vulnerability and organised criminal activity.

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 was introduced to address offences involving human trafficking, exploitation and smuggling of migrants. In cases involving minors, the law imposes heavier penalties due to the age and vulnerability of the victims.

Human trafficking for sexual exploitation remains one of the most serious forms of organised crime. Victims may be controlled through threats, deception, debt, restriction of movement or abuse of power. In cases involving children, consent is not treated in the same way as adult cases because minors are legally protected from exploitation.

The Sandakan case also highlights the role of police intelligence and enforcement operations in identifying and rescuing suspected trafficking victims. Hotel premises and entertainment-related locations are often monitored by authorities when there is suspicion of exploitation or illegal activities.

Authorities have not disclosed further personal details of the victims to protect their identities, particularly because three of them are minors. In cases involving children and trafficking survivors, protecting victim privacy is important to prevent further trauma, stigma or public exposure.

The accused remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case will now proceed to the Sessions Court, where the charges are expected to be mentioned on June 15.

The next court mention is expected to determine the direction of the proceedings, including whether the accused will be formally charged in the Sessions Court and whether further case management dates will be fixed.

For now, the case remains under the court process, while the rescued victims are expected to be handled according to procedures under Malaysia’s anti-trafficking laws and victim protection framework.