By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Jan 25: The Kuching High Court has fixed February 25 for further mention of the case pertaining to an appeal against the discharge and acquittal of the seven members from Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) for a charge of disrespecting ‘Negaraku’ in a public place.
Seven members from S4S, Andrew Chong, Bong Sak Sin, Kon Tai Keong, Leong Shaow Tung, Phang Ngin Pen, Pui Ping Ping, Tan Kok Chiang were discharged and acquitted by Magistrate Zaiton Annuar on Dec 2, 2020 for the charge of disrespecting the national anthem in a public place.
Magistrate Zaiton had ruled that the prosecution failed to prove any prima facie case against the seven accused.
However the prosecution had appealed against the decision to the Kuching High Court.
High Court Registrar Zaleha Rose Pandin then fixed February 25 for further mention of the case.
According to the charge sheet, the seven members of S4S were alleged to have shown disrespect towards the national anthem during a political function at a hotel in Padungan here on Sept 27, 2019.
They were charged under Section 8(3) of the National Anthem Act 1968 and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a fine not exceeding RM100 or imprisonment not exceeding one month, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurfadzlin Mahmad Zulhasnan represented the prosecution while the seven accused were represented by counsel Arthur Lee. — DayakDaily
