SIBU: The High Court here issued a warrant of arrest for an elderly man who failed to appear in court for the hearing of a review on a case involving the sexual assault against a woman with disabilities.
Judge Wong Siong Tung issued the warrant against Chieng Huo Ai, 60, who had previously been fined RM8,000 by the Sessions Court on September 6, 2024, after pleading guilty to the charge.
However, the victim’s family filed an application for a review to challenge the RM8,000 fine imposed on Chieng.
The application was made after the prosecution failed to appeal the sentence.
According to the victim’s family counsel, Boston Ho, the review was requested as the family felt the sentence was insufficient and did not reflect the seriousness of the crime committed against the victim.
“They believe that justice must be served, and demanded a sentence that is appropriate and commensurate with the severity of the crime,” he said at a press conference today.
Since the proceedings began, Chieng had failed to attend all hearings and had repeatedly evaded court appearances.
Ho added that the High Court, after reviewing the matter, has granted the application to issue a warrant of arrest against Chieng under Sections 315 and 325(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
“The court also ordered that he be remanded in custody or imprisoned while awaiting the review decision with the option to apply for bail,” he said.
The High Court has scheduled June 30 as the next mention date for the case review.
The victim’s family urged Chieng to immediately turn himself in to the authorities and face trial in court.
They also appealed to the public to help locate Chieng, and contact the nearest police station if they have any information on his whereabouts.
