Judge Sharifah Norazlita Syed Salim Idid acquitted Rosnah Ahmad, ruling that she had successfully raised a reasonable doubt in her defence.

Rosnah was charged under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 with exploiting the maid between March 18, 2020 and May 12, 2022 at Jalan Besar Jejawi, Arau.

The maid had claimed that despite being hired as a domestic helper, she was forced to work at Rosnah’s dim sum shop against her will.

She further alleged that Rosnah had withheld her passport, failed to pay her salary, and never applied for a valid work permit.

Rosnah denied the allegations, insisting that she had treated the maid well. She said she had held on to the maid’s salary at the maid’s own request that it be kept for her until her employment ended.

She also testified that she had engaged an agent to handle the maid’s work permit and related paperwork, and had paid RM12,000 for the purpose.

She said the maid’s passport was in the agent’s custody.

In ordering the acquittal, Sharifah said the prosecution had failed to prove the elements of forced labour and exploitation against Rosnah.

She said the testimony in court revealed that Rosnah would sometimes bring the maid along on family vacations and give her pocket money.

“The victim even returned to the accused’s house (after running away), seeking her unpaid wages and passport,” Sharifah said.

The court also found that the maid was never in fear of Rosnah, and was able to move around freely without being arrested by the authorities.