SIBU: The High Court here has ordered the accused in a drug trafficking case to enter his defence.
Justice Wong Siong Tung said on Thursday (Aug 21) that the prosecution had adduced enough credible evidence to establish a prima facie case against Wong Kieng Li, 32.
"The evidence shows that the accused had custody or control of the drugs, thereby triggering the presumption under Section 37(d) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 that he was in possession of, and knew the nature of, the said drugs," he said in his ruling.
"The evidence further established that he was trafficking in them at the material time," he added.
Justice Wong gave the accused three options: testify under oath and be subject to cross-examination; give an unsworn statement from the dock; or remain silent.
Defense counsel Darel Ling said the accused opted to give sworn evidence.
He said the accused and his mother, among others, would be called to the witness stand.
According to the charge sheet, the accused had trafficked 717.67g of methamphetamine in a car on Jalan Oya at about 5pm on Dec 12, 2023.
The charge was framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act.
It carries the death penalty, or life imprisonment with no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
The court then fixed Sept 25 and 26 to hear the defence case.
