Kota Kinabalu: The High Court here rejected an application by a politician to review the order for him to enter his defence on a charge of molesting a woman three years ago.
Judge Datuk Zaleha Rose Pandin dismissed Phillip Among’s application after hearing both parties’ submissions.
Philip had applied to review the decision by the Magistrate’s Court to order him to enter his defence.
In October 2023, the Magistrate’s Court had ordered Philip to enter his defence after the court ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him.
Phillip is accused of committing the offence against the woman at 11pm on April 17, 2021 in the living room of Jesselton Capsule Inn in Asia City.
On June 10, 2021, Phillip claimed trial to the charge under Section 354 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to 10 years, or with a fine or with whipping or with any two of such punishments, on conviction.
After the High Court’s decision, Philip’s case was mention at the Magistrate’s Court to fix the date for his defence which magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles set for Aug 28-29.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Hajar Mazlan conducted the prosecution while Philip was represented by counsel Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah.
Phillip, who was the technical head for the 2021 Unduk Ngadau competition, is also ordered to enter his defence on another four charges of molesting a State Unduk Ngadau contestant but the cases are also awaiting for revision against the decision.
He was a Parliamentary Coordinator for Sabah Star’s Putatan Division but was suspended from his position after two police reports were lodged against him for sexual assault.
