By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Apr 10: The High Court has acquitted two men of a drug trafficking charge involving 717.5 grammes of methamphetamine, allegedly committed at a bus terminal along Jalan Penrissen four years ago.
In his ruling, Judicial Commissioner Dato Faridz Gohim Abdullah found that the prosecution had not succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against Ho Chee Leong, 33, and Low Ching Soon, 36. The decision was made at the close of the prosecution’s case.
The court noted significant inconsistencies in the evidence presented, along with gaps that weakened the prosecution’s case.
Upon reviewing all testimonies and material evidence, the court concluded that the charge had not been proven beyond the required threshold, resulting in both accused being discharged and acquitted.
The two had been charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which is punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act.
The offence carries severe penalties, including the death sentence or life imprisonment, along with a minimum of 15 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
According to the charge, the offence was allegedly committed at a bus terminal in Batu 6, Jalan Penrissen, at approximately 1.50pm on July 14, 2022.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Anida Mohd Nasir appeared for the prosecution. Ho was represented by Louis Jarau, while Low was defended by Patrick Voon, Alex Kong, Tiong Ing Neng, and pupil-in-chambers Amarprit Singh. — DayakDaily
