Man, 47, Jailed After Forcing Woman Who Treated Him ‘Like a Son’ into ‘Slavery’ and Depriving Her of Food and Sleep

A man has been sentenced to six years in prison for keeping a woman in conditions akin to slavery at his home in Point Cook, Australia. Chee Kit ‘Max’ Chong, 47, was found guilty earlier this year of intentionally possessing a slave and depriving her of fundamental human rights, including access to food, sleep, and medical care. The decision was made by the Melbourne County Court, which announced the sentencing on 4th September via video link, with Chong facing a non-parole period of four years.

The case came to light when a woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, presented at a local hospital with serious injuries and exhibited signs of distress. According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), her treatment raised significant alarm, prompting an investigation into her living conditions. It was revealed that Chong, who met the woman at a church in 2015, had exploited her for domestic work without remuneration while restricting her freedom.

Chong first brought the woman, who is in her 60s and originally from Indonesia, into his home after he moved to Australia with his wife, Angie Liaw, in 2016. The woman initially arrived on a tourist visa and stayed with the couple for six months before they abruptly left for Tasmania without informing her, leaving her homeless. She returned to live with them in early 2022 after being tasked with domestic duties following the birth of their second child.

Once settled in again, she was allegedly coerced into paying Chong a hefty sum of $1 million AUD (approximately £720,000) as compensation for what he claimed was lost access to his company credit card. Chong enforced this debt through extreme measures, subjecting her to living in cramped conditions, often making her sleep on the stairs or in the garage. According to Judge Peter Cahill, her life became increasingly oppressive as she was forced to perform unpaid chores, including cleaning and caring for Chong’s children, and even massaging his feet.

The court heard that Chong subjected the woman to various restrictions that severely limited her autonomy. He often threatened her with violence and hunger if she did not comply with his commands. Furthermore, he manipulated her financially, demanding she borrow money from relatives back in Indonesia, ostensibly to cover his expenses. Claiming she was being paid a monthly salary, he was found to have misled friends and neighbours, insisting that she earned $5,000 AUD each month during her time with him.

The woman’s escape from Chong’s oppressive grasp came when she managed to leave under the pretext of visiting a friend to collect money. Unfortunately, she did not live to see the trial, having passed away from natural causes in 2024. During Chong’s sentencing, Judge Cahill condemned his actions, describing them as “callous and cruel.” He highlighted the stark contrast between the woman’s generosity and loyalty towards Chong and the way she was heartlessly exploited.

While Chong has denied keeping the woman in slave-like conditions, insisting the situation might have resembled elder abuse, the court found otherwise. Judge Cahill firmly stated that Chong treated the woman as property, exploiting her vulnerabilities for his personal gain.

Detective Superintendent Ray Imbriano of the AFP remarked on the broader implications of the case, emphasizing that crimes like human trafficking and modern slavery often occur silently within communities. He stated, “This offending involved the exploitation of a vulnerable woman for personal gain. It serves as a reminder that these crimes can occur within our own communities, often behind closed doors.”

Following the sentencing, Chong is eligible for parole in May 2030, with the possibility of deportation back to Malaysia. His case underscores the troubling existence of modern slavery in contemporary society, a stark reality that contradicts the principles of dignity and respect for human rights. The AFP’s investigation and the subsequent trial reflect ongoing efforts to combat such exploitation and raise awareness about the rights of individuals in vulnerable situations.