THE trial for preacher Ebit Irawan Ibrahim Lew, which was scheduled to resume today, was postponed to May 11 and 12, June 20 to 23, and July 11 to 14.

Magistrate Nur Asyraf Zolhani fixed the new dates following an objection by Ebit’s counsel Ram Singh against documents contained in a pendrive, which were findings by the prosecution’s seventh witness, a forensics expert, to be examined in the trial.

“In view of the decision by this court, which covers the documents quite extensively, plus the calling of inspector Yip (seventh witness), it is pertinent that the defence take this matter to the High Court for revision.

“The defence is asking for a stay of proceedings and not to call inspector Yip until the disposal of the revision at the High Court, which will be done expeditiously,” said Ram Singh in the proceeding at the Tenom magistrate’s court today.

Deputy public prosecutor Zahida Zakaria objected to a stay of proceedings, saying that the prosecution is ready to examine Yip and tender the documents as exhibits.

Nur Asyraf said in the interest of justice and to not render the revision academic, he will allow the stay of proceedings until the revision is heard and disposed of.

“The court will allow the seventh prosecution witness Insp Yip Chang Ching to testify. However, the defence counsel will also have the right to a reasonable period to examine the documents and to recall or re-summon and examine any witness in relation to the documents,” he said.

Yip was expected to testify with regard to 90 images in a pendrive that he had extracted from the accused’s handphone.

Eibt, 37, faces 11 charges, including defaming a woman in her 40s by sending obscene words and pictures to the victim via WhatsApp between March and June last year.

The defamation charge was framed under section 509 of the penal code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, a fine, or both, if convicted.

The trial started in September last year and six prosecution witnesses have testified so far. – Bernama, February 9, 2023.