47yo Mum Gets 3 Years in Jail for Forcing 3 Kids to Sell Fruits on Sabah Streets

A 47-year-old single mum has been sentenced to 9 years in prison and fined RM2,000 for letting 3 kids, including her own daughter, sell fruit on the streets for nearly 12 hours a day.

Awala Antualang, who holds a Burung-Burung Card, will also be handed over to the Immigration Department once she’s done serving her time, according to Sabah Media.

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She pleaded guilty to 3 charges

Awala pleaded guilty to 3 charges before 3 different Sessions Court judges on March 26.

Judge Elsie Primus sentenced her for letting an 11-year-old boy sell fruit in Sembulan, Judge Hurman Hussain for her 13-year-old daughter in Aeropod, and Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan for a 12-year-old boy in Harbour City, plus a fine.

She’s also required to serve an extra 2 months in jail if she fails to pay the fine.

She was charged under Section 32(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which can lead to up to five years in prison, a RM20,000 fine, or both if found guilty.

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She’ll be serving 3 years in prison

The facts of the cases stated that Awala supplied the fruits, and all the money from sales went to her.

The kids made between RM180 and RM300 a day, but their wages from Awala were inconsistent. They worked long hours from morning until late at night, with just 1 day off a week.

All 3 judges ordered Awala to serve her sentence from the date of her arrest. This means she will only serve 3 years in prison, and will have to pay the RM2,000 fine.

Awala has additional charges, with the next hearing set for April 22.

Also read: Kuala Pilah Police Arrest 2 Men for Allegedly Exploiting a 14yo Disabled Boy for Child Labour