A SINGER known as Emily escaped the death penalty or life imprisonment when the High Court today acquitted her of charges in a drug trafficking case three years ago.
Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin made the ruling after the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case.
"The accused is acquitted and discharged without having to be called to defend herself," she said as reported by Sinar Harian.
According to the charges, Emily was charged with three other individuals on one count of trafficking 400 grams of cocaine at a residence in Brickfields, on November 23, 2023.
The charge was made under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping, if convicted.
Sivahnanthan Ragava, who represented Emily, said the decision clearly showed that there was no strong evidence to link his client to the drugs.
He said the prosecution argued that the drugs were found in the house, but the court found that there was no evidence linking the client to the substance.
"The court was also not satisfied with the evidence presented and found that there was no element of control by her over the drugs in question.
"In a serious case like this, the burden of proof is very high, and the prosecution failed to prove its case," he said, assisted by lawyer Cyrus Tiu Foo Woei.
Meanwhile, the court ordered the other three accused, represented by lawyers C Paul, Jay Moy and Gurmit Singh, to enter their defence after a prima facie case was established for the charges.
The prosecution of this case was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Shahrizat Amadan. – March 18, 2026
