By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Oct 7: The High Court here has ordered seven members from the Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) movement to enter their defence on Oct 28, for the charge of disrespecting the national anthem ‘Negaraku’ in a public place.
On Dec 2, 2020, Magistrate Zaiton Annuar ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove prima facie against the seven members from S4S and discharged and acquitted them.
The prosecution was dissatisfied with the acquittal and had appealed against it to the Kuching High Court.
High Court Judge Datuk Zaleha Rose Pandin today ordered the seven members from S4S, namely Andrew Chong, Bong Sak Sin, Kon Tai Keong, Leong Shaow Tung, Phang Ngin Pen, Pui Ping Ping, Tan Kok Chiang to enter their defence.
The seven members of S4S were said to have shown disrespect towards the national anthem during a political function at a hotel in Padungan on Sept 27, 2019.
They were charged under Section 8(3) of the National Anthem Act 1968, to be read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a fine not exceeding RM100 or imprisonment term not exceeding one month, upon conviction.
Five witnesses were called by the prosecution during the trial.
DPP Musli Abdul Hamid represented the prosecution while the seven respondents were represented by counsel Arthur Lee. — DayakDaily
