By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Feb 2: The High Court here has fixed March 6 to monitor the status of appeal in relation to the case involving seven members from Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) for the charge of disrespecting the national anthem ‘Negaraku’ in a public place.
Seven members from S4S who are 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 Anuar on Dec 2, 2020 for the charge of disrespecting the national anthem in a public place.
The prosecution was dissatisfied with the sentence and appealed against the decision to Kuching High Court and on Dec 18, 2022, the Magistrate’s Court again discharged and acquitted the seven members from S4S.
The prosecution was again dissatisfied with the sentence and appealed against the decision to the Kuching High Court.
High Court Judge Datuk Zaleha Rose Pandin fixed March 6 to monitor the status of the second appeal.
The seven members of S4S were found 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 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.
Five witnesses were called by prosecution during the trial.
DPP Aida Nurdiana represented the prosecution while the seven accused were represented by counsel Arthur Lee and Ian Lee. — DayakDaily
