1.00pm
Defence lawyers for a vineyard contractor have questioned the motives of a group of Malaysians who came to New Zealand last year to work in Marlborough's vineyards.
Blenheim District Court is hearing depositions from eight Malaysians who came to work in Marlborough last year for Malaysian contractor Heng Lee.
In the first case of alleged migrant smuggling to come to court in New Zealand, 53-year-old Lee faces a number of charges under the Immigration Act and five of threatening to cause grievous bodily harm.
His wife Koi Hen Chan, 51, and daughter-in-law Lay Kheng Chua, 30, face similar charges under the Immigration Act.
Witnesses have told the court they paid about $300 each to Chua before they left Malaysia to go towards the permits and to help get them through immigration.
The Malaysians claim Chua told them to state their purpose of visit to immigration officers as tourists.
When they arrived in Blenheim in March last year they paid another $1000 each to Chan for "introductions" to start work.
Defence lawyer Gary Sawyer yesterday questioned witness Liong Chong Yee about why he had booked a return two-week ticket to Malaysia when he wanted to work in New Zealand for two or three years.
Mr Yee replied: "Normally when you go out of the country you have to come back.
"Hen Chan has helped us apply for work permits then naturally we thought... maybe it's possible if it's favourable that we work longer," he said through an interpreter.
Mr Sawyer also questioned Mr Yee as to why he had asked Chan if they could have a day's trial on the vineyard before they paid the $1000 introductory fee.
Mr Yee replied he wanted to try the work first to see if it was suitable for him, but Chan would not allow that.
The court was told Lee got aggressive when the group indicated they would leave because they had not been given work permits.
"He said returning would create a lot of troubles and he will cut off hands and feet, but he did not say whose.
"He said he had a brother in Malaysia who was a high ranking (police) officer," Mr Yee said.
Mr Yee and his wife Ah Kam Wong had operated a furniture business in Malaysia before they came to New Zealand.
Mr Yee said they had not been able to get their positions back or another job since they returned to Malaysia and were living on a very small income.
The hearing, before Justices of Peace Mary Barnes and Gregory Weake, is set to continue for the rest the week.
- NZPA
Workers questioned about reasons for coming to NZ
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.