A man has been sentenced to six years in prison for exploiting a vulnerable woman and holding her as a slave for nine months in his Melbourne home. Chee Kit ‘Max’ Chong, 47, was found guilty of intentionally possessing a slave and one count of assault.

The victim, who was not named, had considered Chong like a son and followed him from Malaysia to Australia in 2017. She had provided Chong with thousands of dollars when he was experiencing financial difficulties.

However, after Chong and his wife, Angie Liaw, left Melbourne in 2021 and traveled to Malaysia before moving to Tasmania without informing her, the woman was left homeless. Chong re-established contact with the woman in late 2021, stating his family had returned to Melbourne.

During the nine months she lived with Chong in 2022, the woman was subjected to abuse. Her duties included cleaning for the family, massaging Chong’s feet, and staying awake all night to serve as his alarm clock. When she failed to comply with his demands, Chong assaulted her and deprived her of food and sleep.

The abuse came to light on September 16, 2022, when the woman disclosed her treatment to a cafe owner, who noticed severe bruising on her face. She fled Chong's residence on October 7, 2022, under the pretense of visiting a friend to collect money. Police located her four days later with a swollen ear and injured eye.

Chong denied the charges and proceeded to trial, where a jury convicted him in May. The victim passed away from natural causes in 2024 and did not live to see the trial’s conclusion or verdict.

Victorian County Court Judge Cahill described Chong's actions as "callous and cruel," stating, "You exploited her vulnerabilities to use her as your property." The judge acknowledged Chong's likely deportation to Malaysia and the potential difficulties his incarceration would present for his wife and young children. However, the court emphasized the need to denounce such conduct and deter others.

Chong did not react to the sentence, which includes a non-parole period of four years. His wife, Angie Liaw, who was accused of assisting Chong, was acquitted by the judge prior to the jury’s deliberations.

The Australian Federal Police stated that the sentence serves as a reminder that such crimes can occur within communities, often concealed behind closed doors. They affirmed their commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals.