Monday saw the first day of the ‘Musang King’ trial, with the prosecution opening their case with an officer from Narcotics Control Bureau as the first witness.
Presiding over the trial are Judicial Commissioner Muhammed Faisal bin Pehin Datu Juragan Laila Diraja Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Kefli and Intermediate Court Judge Radin Safiee bin Radin Mas Basiuni.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Hajah Suriana binti Haji Radin leads the prosecution, and also on the team are DPP Dayangku Didi-Nuraza binti Pengiran Haji Abdul Latiff, Siti Khalillah binti Hussin, Syafina binti Abdul Hadzid, Ruzana Adnan, and Hanan Erwan.
The defence side is represented by counsels Pengiran Shahyzul bin Pengiran Abdul Rahman represented Jakaria bin Ahad, Lenny Rahman for Siti Izzatul Munirah binti Ahmad, Daud Ismail for Isamuddin bin Ahmad, Mohd Shazale Salleh for Ahmad bin Haji Tamit, Sharah Abdul Hamid for Maskunah binti Wahab, and Mansur Latif for Saifuddin bin Ahmad.
The trial has been fixed for May, June, August and October this year, with seven charges laid out against those involved: possession of 12,226.65 grammes (g) of methylamphetamine and 784.86g of methylamphetamine for trafficking; possession of 1,515.53g of methylamphetamine and 227.89g of methylamphetamine for trafficking; possession of 35.70g of methylamphetamine for trafficking; acquisition of a house using the proceeds from criminal activities; possession of BND170,617, MYR63,374 and SGD119 in banknotes from criminal proceeds; concealment of the ownership of a Toyota Vellfire purchased with the proceeds of crime; and possession of jewellery valued at BND129,973.80 from criminal proceeds.
The severity of the charges is underscored by the potential penalties, with the first and second charges carrying the spectre of the death penalty, while others entail lengthy prison terms, whippings and substantial fines. A staggering 83 witnesses will have been lined up to testify throughout the trial. – Fadley Faisal
