KOTA KINABALU: A 45-year-old local man will stand trial on November 16-20 this year on a charge of murdering the supervisor of a tyre shop in Penampang.
High Court justice Nurchaya Hj Arshad reserved the dates for Zakaria Laih during his pre-trial case management yesterday.
Zakaria allegedly murdered 55-year-old Hei Kok Meng on April 12 last year inside the office of the shop at Mile 5 1/2, Jalan Penampang around 5.30pm.
The offence comes under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which is punishable by the mandatory death sentence on conviction.
In November last year, Zakaria claimed trial and about 20 witnesses are expected to be called.
Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Aida Fatimah appeared for the prosecution while Zakaria was represented by assigned counsel Dominic Ghani and Mark Sitiwin.
Meanwhile, the same court adjourned to December 4 this year for further management of a drug trafficking case.
The court set the date for 23-year-old Hamid Ali, who was accused of trafficking in 63.06 grammes of syabu in front of a budget hotel in Poring, Ranau on August 14 last year.
Under Section 39B(1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Hamid will be sent to the gallows if found guilty of the offence.
DPP Wan Farrah Farriza Wan Ghazali prosecuted while counsel Ram Singh represented Hamid.