Kota Kinabalu: Two teachers from SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha were the first and second witnesses on the first day of trial involving five teenagers charged in the Children’s Court with using insulting words towards Zara Qairina Mahathir.
The trial which is subject to a gag order under Section 15 of the Child Act, commenced on Monday before Sessions Court Judge Marlina Ibrahim.
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Court Registrar Cindy Mc Juce Balitus said in a statement that the first witness (PW1) was an academic teacher, while the second witness (PW2) was the guidance and counselling teacher. She added that the cross-examination of the second witness is scheduled to continue Tuesday, Dec 9.
On Aug 20 this year, the five teenagers pleaded not guilty separately to the charge against them.
The teenagers are accused of using insulting words that were heard and caused Zara to feel disturbed. The offence allegedly took place between 10pm and 11pm on July 15 this year.
They were jointly charged under Section 507C(1) read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which relates to the offence of using or making any threatening, abusive, or insulting words or communication that is likely to cause a person to feel harassed, distressed, fearful, or alarmed.
Under this section, the offence carries a maximum penalty of up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
The five girls were released on bail of RM5,000 each, with RM1,000 deposited by a local surety.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Nor Azizah Mohamad, Husnie Fairos Ramly, Nik Haslinie Hashim, and Deepa Nair Thevaharan conducted for the prosecution.
Datuk Ram Singh, together with Joan Goh and Elmer Prem Gunasan, represented one of the teenagers, while Azhier Farhan Arisin, Abdul Fikry Jaafar, Fareez Salleh, and Sylvester Kuan represented the other teenagers.
All the five children were accompanied by their parents, respectively.
Counsel Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi acted as a watching brief for Zara’s mother.
Meanwhile, counsel Dominic Ghani acted for Sabah Law Society and counsel Isaiah Majahim Majinbon from Suhakam, as watching brief in the proceedings.
