Kota Kinabalu: A 29-year-old man, who was charged with trafficking 196.53gm of syabu, was ordered to enter his defence.
High Court Judge Wong Siong Tung made the order on Mawie Ache Mairon.
Wong ruled that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Mawie in respect of the identity and net weight of the drugs as well as actual possession by the accused which triggers the statutory presumption of trafficking.
The court set Sept 27-30 and Oct 17-18 for Mawie’s defence.
Mawie, a labourer, was accused of trafficking 196.53gm of syabu at 8.45pm on Oct 1, 2018 at a house in Kg Liawan, Keningau. He claimed trial to the charge on May 23, 2019.
The charge under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act carries the death sentence or imprisonment for life and whipping of not less than 15 strokes if not sentenced to death, on conviction.
Counsel Dominic Ghani, representing Mawie, said they would be calling eight witnesses.
The prosecution had called five witnesses at the prosecution’s stage.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Ali Imran prosecuted.
Pending the date, Mawie was ordered to be remanded further.
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