Politician’s defence trial rescheduled
Published on: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
By: Cynthia D Baga
_(1).jpg "Politician’s defence trial rescheduled")
Phillip, had on June 10, 2021, claimed trial to the charges and his trial began on April 12, 2022.
Kota Kinabalu: The defence of a 53-year-old politician, charged with four counts of molesting a 2021 State Unduk Ngadau contestant, was re-scheduled to another date.Phillip Among, who was also a technical head for 2021 Unduk Ngadau competition, was supposed to stand for his defence in February this year but the trial was postponed to another date.
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He was ordered to enter his defence on Dec 12, 2023 after the Magistrate’s Court ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him.
Philip was a Parliamentary Coordinator of Sabah Star Putatan Division, but was suspended from his position after two police reports were lodged against him for sexual assault.
His defence was actually on Feb 19, 22 and 23 this year and the court was informed that the defence would call about four to five witnesses.
On the first to fourth counts, he is accused of molesting the Unduk Ngadau contestant on May 19, 2021 at 2pm, 3.30pm, 9.45pm and 10pm, respectively.
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All the alleged incidents took place at a staircase next to Ever Best Photo in Asia City, in Studio Darvel Bay Borneo Holidays Sdn Bhd in Asia City, in a moving vehicle while on the way to an old office in the city after dinner and in an office in Metro Town, here, respectively.
He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to 10 years, or with fine or with whipping or with any two of such punishments, on conviction.
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Phillip, had on June 10, 2021, claimed trial to the charges and his trial began on April 12, 2022.
The prosecution had called eight witnesses during the hearing.
For record, Philip was also ordered by other Magistrate’s Court to enter his defence on a charge of molesting a woman.
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