Kota Kinabalu: The Sessions Court fixed Aug 4 and 5 this year for the defence of a woman who was involved in the catamaran tragedy that 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, when her case was brought up for case management via Zoom.
The court also allowed the application made by the defence for the prosecution to provide statements under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code, for all witnesses offered at the end of prosecution case to the defence.
During the defence, Mandarin interpreter also to be provided.
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 a 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 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 from the two charges but the prosecution had appealed against the sentence and the High Court ordered Chung to enter her defence on the charges.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Faezah Jafry appeared for the prosecution while counsel Edward Paul and Elffie Johny defended Chung.
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