According to the County Court of Victoria, Malaysian national Chee Kit Chong was sentenced on September 4 to six years in prison for subjecting a vulnerable Indonesian woman to domestic servitude and physical abuse in Melbourne between February and October 2022. The case highlights ongoing risks of modern slavery hidden within suburban households.
Sentencing and Judicial Findings in Melbourne
Judge Michael Cahill described Chee Kit Chong’s treatment of the victim as “not berperasaan dan bengis” (callous and cruel), noting that the 47-year-old defendant treated the woman in her 60s like property. According to court proceedings, Chong forced the victim to perform heavy domestic labor while withholding proper medical care, adequate food, and sleep. Judge Cahill stated during the hearing that Chong sent text messages criticizing the woman’s work standards and assaulted her for minor mistakes, including slamming her head against a wall and kicking her face.
Federal modern slavery laws in Australia carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Chong appeared via video link from Ravenhall Correctional Centre and will be eligible for parole in 2030, after which authorities expect his deportation to Malaysia.
Victim Background and Isolation Tactics
Court evidence revealed that Chong and his wife, Angie Liaw, met the victim in Malaysia in 2015, where she maintained a generous and loyal relationship with them. Prior to moving into the family’s home in Point Cook in early 2022 to assist with childcare following the birth of their second child, the woman had experienced homelessness and street labor in Australia.
During her time in the Point Cook residence, Chong isolated the victim and restricted her movements. Testimony showed that the woman secretly requested biscuits and snacks from a local charity because they were easy to conceal from Chong. Furthermore, court records noted that Chong pressured the victim to hand over substantial sums of money, forcing her to borrow from relatives in Indonesia and her secondhand-shop employer to help cover the family’s rent and hospital expenses.
Discovery and Police Investigation
The victim fled the Point Cook home in October 2022, remaining unaccounted for several days before police located her and transported her to a hospital via taxi. Medical evaluations documented severe malnutrition, swollen ears and feet, injured soles, and bruising near her eyes. Judge Cahill remarked during the sentencing that Chong had expressed regret to his wife, complaining that he should not have allowed the victim to leave the property.
While Angie Liaw initially faced charges of assisting her husband in treating the victim as a slave, a six-legged trial earlier in the year resulted in the withdrawal of all charges against her. Australian Federal Police (AFP) Detective Inspector Ray Imbriano emphasized that the investigation underscores the agency’s commitment to combating human exploitation. According to the AFP, modern slavery strips victims of their freedom, dignity, and basic human rights, frequently unfolding behind closed doors in ordinary neighborhoods.
Did you know? Modern slavery is a federal offense in Australia that encompasses forced labor, servitude, and human trafficking, carrying penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment under federal legislation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for forced labor and modern slavery in Australia?
Under Australian federal law, modern slavery offenses carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
How did authorities discover the abuse?
After leaving the defendant’s home in October 2022, police located the victim and transferred her to a hospital, where medical staff treated her for severe malnutrition and physical injuries.
What happened to the co-accused in this case?
Angie Liaw, the wife of Chee Kit Chong, was initially charged with aiding the offenses, but prosecutors dropped all charges during the trial earlier in the year.
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