KOTA KINABALU: A politician, who was charged with four counts of molesting a 2021 state Unduk Ngadau contestant, was ordered to enter his defence.
Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie issued the decision against Phillip Among, 53, after determining that the prosecution had proved a prima facie case against him.
The court set Feb 19, 22 and 23, next year for his defence.
On the first to fourth counts, Phillip was accused of molesting an Unduk Ngadau contestant four times at various places on May 19, 2021 between 2pm and 10pm.
The alleged acts took place inside Studio Darvel Bay Borneo Holidays Sdn Bhd in Asia City; inside a moving car from a restaurant towards an old office in the city; at a staircase next to Ever Best Photo in Asia City; and inside an office in Metro Town.
The offence under Section 354 of the Penal Code provides a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine or whipping or with any two such punishments.
Phillip had on June 10, 2021 claimed trial to the charges.
The trial started on April 12 last year and the prosecution closed its case on Sept 7, 2023 with eight witnesses called during the hearing.
Phillip was a technical head for the 2021 state-level Unduk Ngadau competition.
He was also the Parliamentary Coordinator of Sabah Star Putatan Division, but was suspended from his position after two police reports were lodged against him for sexual assault.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Siti Hajar Mazlan conducted the trial while Phillip was represented by counsel Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah and Mohd Azhier Farhan.
DPP Batrisyia Mohd Khusri appeared for the prosecution in today's proceedings.
For the record, on Oct 31, Phillip was ordered by another magistrate's court to enter defence for molesting another woman on April 17, 2021, at 11pm in the living room of Jesselton Capsule Inn in Asia City, here.