NAMEWEE DOWN WITH INFLUENZA, DRUG CASES MENTIONS POSTPONED

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- Separate Magistrate’s Courts here today postponed the mention proceedings of two drug cases involving rapper Wee Meng Chee, better known as Namewee, after he was unable to attend court due to being infected with Influenza A.

During proceedings at the two courts, counsel Joshua Tay, who represents Namewee, 42, informed Magistrate Atiqah Mohamed @ Mohamad Saim and Magistrate S. Arunjothy that his client could not be present as he was unwell.

“Our side has submitted a medical leave certificate as well as a medical report from a hospital confirming that our client has been infected with Influenza A and has been given three days of medical leave starting yesterday,” Joshua said.

Following this, the courts fixed new dates for the respective case mentions on Dec 22 and Jan 19 respectively next year.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Vivi’ Asnitha Zaina’ Larifin and Izzat Amir Idham appeared for the prosecution.

According to the first charge, Namewee is accused of possessing suspected Ecstasy weighing about 5.12 grammes in a hotel room along Jalan Conlay here at 4.30 pm on Oct 22.

The charge was framed under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39A(1) of the same Act, which provides for imprisonment of between two and five years and not less than three strokes of the cane and a maximum of nine strokes, upon conviction.

For the second charge, a urine test found that the accused had administered into his body drugs of the Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, 11-Nor-Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-9-Carbolic Acid (THC) and Ketamine types, at the toilet of the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division Office, Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters, at 7.15 pm on the same date.

He was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to two years as well as supervision for a period of not less than two years and not more than three years, upon conviction.

-- BERNAMA