KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 -- An Indonesian woman was allegedly beaten, starved and forced to sleep on stairs or in a garage while working as a "slave" for a Malaysian couple, an Australian court heard.

The Victorian County Court was told the ordeal lasted months after the woman agreed to stay with Malaysian nationals Chee Kit Chong and Angie Yeh Liaw at their Point Cook home in early 2022, as reported by the ABC Australia.

"Mr Chong threatened and coerced [the alleged victim] to provide domestic services," prosecutor Shaun Ginsbourg S.C. reportedly told the court.

"He repeatedly told her she had to work to repay supposed debts. And when [the victim] failed to meet Mr Chong's expectations . they would punish her by assaulting her, also by d...