Man in Sibu to enter defence on drug charges

SIBU (Sept 26): A 42-year-old man was ordered by the High Court here today to enter his defence on one charge of trafficking drugs and five charges of possessing drugs.

Judge Wong Siong Tung made the decision after ruling the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Mah Kian Haur for all the charges.

The judge gave the accused three options in his defence call – to testify under oath and be subject to cross-examination; given an unsworn statement from the dock; or to remain silent.

After consulting with his counsel Augustine Liom, the accused elected to testify under oath.

The judge fixed Oct 22-24 for the defence call.

A total of 11 prosecution witnesses have been called to testify.

On the charge of trafficking drugs under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act, Mah is accused trafficking 387.14g of methamphetamine at a rental room in Jalan Theng Kung Suk here at about 2.20am on Feb 28, 2023.

The five drug possession charges against him are framed under Section 12(2) and punishable under Section 39A(1) of the same Act; Section 12(2) and punishable under Section 12(3) of the same Act; and Section 6 and punishable under Section 39A(1) of the same Act.

Based on the charges, he is alleged to have possessed 7.74g of methamphetamine, 0.57g of nimetazepam, 12.89g of methamphetamine, 31.06g of methamphetamine, and 0.04g of nimetazepam.

He allegedly committed the offences between 1.55am and 2.20am on the same day at Jalan Lanang and Jalan Theng Kung Suk.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mark Kenneth Netto appeared for the prosecution.