Kota Kinabalu: The Sessions Court set Feb 10 this year for pre-trial case management for a woman who was involved in the catamaran tragedy which resulted in the death of four Chinese tourists.Sessions Court Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim set the date for Chung Ket Siew @ Chung Siaw Ping, 68, after the High Court ordered Chung to enter her defence on two charges which she had been discharged and acquitted by the lower court.
The court set the date to determine the number of witness during the defence.
On the first count, Chung, the Director of Syarikat Golden Sailing Travel Tour and Car Rental, is accused of causing hurt to 20 Chinese tourists by permitting Leong to manage and use the boat to sea so negligently as to endanger their lives.
She allegedly committed the offence together with her son Leong Vin Jee, 44, and skipper Sharezza Salian, 30, who were both found guilty on March 1, 2019 and received their punishments, respectively.
The offence under Section 337 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to six months, or fine of up to RM1,000, or both, on conviction.
On the second count, Chung was ordered to enter her defence on a charge of negligently causing the death of four tourists namely, He Runyuan, 46, Wang Jianyi, 38, Xie Luo, 49, and Zhang Xiau Kun, 27, by allowing Leong who then ordered Sharezza, to use the boat and loaded it which endangered human life.
The offence under Section 304A of the Penal Code provides for a jail term of up to two years, or fine, or both, on conviction.
On July 18, 2018, Chung was discharged and acquitted of the two charges but the prosecution had appealed, Chung was then ordered to enter her defence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Faezah Jafry appeared for the prosecution while counsel Edward Paul and Elffie Johny defended Chung.
