KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution is expected to call seven witnesses in the trial of two Chinese nationals charged with taking aerial photographs using a drone in a restricted area belonging to the Defence Ministry.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Hakimie Ab Hadi informed Sessions Court judge Suhaila Haron of the matter during case management on Thursday (April 2).
The court has fixed trial dates for April 29 and 30, and June 3 and 4, while April 27 and 28 have been vacated. A decision at the close of the prosecution's case is expected on June 30.
Also present at the proceedings was counsel Ooi Hong Ming, who appeared for the accused, Li Luorong, 27, and Chen Junhao, 20.
It was previously reported that the Attorney General's Chambers had rejected representations submitted by both accused seeking a review of the charges.
Under the first charge, both men are accused of having acted jointly, with the intention of obtaining official information prejudicial to national security, by capturing aerial images using a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise drone within a gazetted prohibited area without authorisation.
The offence is alleged to have been committed at Padang Bola B, Defence Ministry, Jalan Padang Tembak, at 11.50am on Aug 6, 2025.
They were charged under Section 3(a) of the Official Secrets Act 1972, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for life imprisonment upon conviction.
They also face a second charge of taking aerial photographs using the same drone for the purpose of conducting surveying or mapping work without the approval of the relevant authority, at the same location, date and time.
This charge is brought under Section 4(1) of the Official Secrets Act 1972, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of between one and 14 years' imprisonment upon conviction. - Bernama
