KOTA KINABALU: The High Court here yesterday adjourned the trial of a local plumber charged with trafficking in 4,383 grams of ketamine and 2,559 grams of Methamphetamine last year.
Judge Dato’ Abdul Rahman Sebli adjourned the trial of Chin Yee Yong, 32, which was scheduled to start yesterday due to the medical condition of his counsel, Ram Singh.
“Since there is only one day left for trial of this case in view of Mr Ram Singh’s medical condition, I do not think I will be able to hear the case to its final conclusion as according to the learned deputy public prosecutor (DPP), she may be calling 13 to 14 witnesses for the prosecution.
“In the circumstances, the trial is adjourned,” said Sebli who then set October 3, this year for re-mention of the case to fix a new trial date.
Chin from Keningau is accused of trafficking in the drugs outside of the arrival hall at Terminal 2, Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) about 10.40pm on December 12, 2011.
He is liable to the mandatory death sentence if found guilty of the alleged offence under Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Earlier, DPP Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharuddin informed the court that the accused’s counsel was on medical leave.
She said that based on the medical certificate, the counsel was suffering from severe low body ache.
She added that the medical certificate was issued by the orthopaedic specialist of Queen Elizabeth Hospital from September 10 to 12.
However, she told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial and pointed out that all the documents have already been served to the counsel.
Raja Zaizul Faridah also said that they had done the pre-trial conference for this case on
Sept 4.
Counsel Y S Lo, who stood in for Ram, confirmed that the latter was on medical treatment.
He said Ram could not proceed with the trial and was due for review on Sept 13.