IPOH: The Sessions Court here has set March 19 to make a decision on Perak executive council member Paul Yong Choo Kiong’s application for a stay of proceedings for his rape trial to allow an appeal to be heard at the Federal Court first.
Sessions Court judge Norashima Khalid set the date after hearing submissions from Yong’s lawyer, Farhan Sapian.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Naidatul Athirah Azman said the prosecution did not file an affidavit, or submissions.
“We have no objections on the application filed, and we will leave it for the court to make a decision,” she said.
Farhan said Tuesday’s (March 3) re-mention was for them to hand in their submissions.
Yong’s application to transfer his case from the Sessions Court to the High Court was dismissed by Judicial Commissioner Datuk Mohd Radzi Harun in December last year.
In February this year, the Court of Appeal had also dismissed Yong’s appeal to transfer the case to the High Court, and thus an appeal application has been made at the Federal Court.
In August last year, Yong claimed trial to raping his former 23-year-old Indonesian maid at his house.
The act was said to have been committed in a room on the top floor of his house in Meru Desa Park on July 7, between 8.15pm and 9.15pm.
Ramkarpal said prosecution team only responded today to allegation of a conspiracy in which Yong’s accuser was purportedly paid RM100,000 to lodge the report.
Lawyer Gabriel & Shalvin said the victim might have been used as a political pawn in the case.https://t.co/NKCHOszaVE
Paul Yong’s rape trial set for Nov 11 to 15 (VIDEO)
Published 8 hours ago on 24 September 2019
BY JOHN BUNYAN
IPOH, Sep 24 — The Session Court here set five days from November 11 for the trial of DAP lawmaker Paul Yong who is accused of raping his former Indonesian maid.
Judge Norashmia Khalid fixed the date at the case management today after both the prosecution and defence agreed.
Yong’s defence team includes Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Malim Nawar assemblyman Leong Cheok Keng and lawyer Farhan Sapian.
Azhar Mokthar, Ainul Wardah Shahidan, and Naidatul Athirah Azman will prosecute.
Azhar informed the court that the prosecution will call 24 witnesses during the trial.
.
Ramkarpal earlier asked the court for a subsequent mention as he said the defence team only received the 47 documents, including forensic and scientific reports, from the prosecution team.
He also said the prosecution team only responded today to the allegation of a conspiracy in which Yong’s accuser was purportedly paid RM100,000 to lodge the report.
“We have written twice to the prosecution team to submit the documents earlier before the case management today.
“However, they only submitted the documents before the proceeding start today. We need time to go through the documents and need opinions from the experts in order for us to prepare for the defence,” he said.
Azhar said the police investigation on the conspiracy could not be completed as five witnesses, including Leong, who were called in by the authorities did not go to give statements.
Ramkarpal said the accusation against Leong was baseless as neither the police nor the prosecution notified them of the investigation.
Norashima then fixed October 22 for case management again.
Earlier, lawyer Gabriel Susayan and Shalvin Kanvinchelvan, who was appointed as watching brief by the victim’s mother, said the victim might have been used as a political pawn in the case.
Ramkarpal suggested the lawyer ask the person making this claim to lodge a report.
When met outside the court, Gabriel said the victim’s mother raised the possibility.
“We will go through the issue and might ask the victim’s mother to lodge a police report,” he said.
“I have met the victim’s mother last week and will meet the victim soon. Several lawyers wanted to meet the victim, but was not allowed. As a watching brief lawyer, we need to protect the victim’s dignity and welfare,” Gabriel added.
Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengangkutan Awam, Hal Ehwal Bukan Islam dan Kampung Baharu Perak, Paul Yong Choo Kiong yang didakwa merogol pembantu rumah warga Indonesia, tiba di pekarangan Mahkamah Sesyen Ipoh pada jam 8.57 pagi tadi. – Video NSTP/Effendy Rashid pic.twitter.com/Ex5eXvDNXn
weehingthong 