[everlastinge]

Published: Thursday December 16, 2010 MYT 3:20:00 PM

Court orders arrest of bomoh who fails to show up over rape charges

By NURBAITI HAMDAN

KUALA LUMPUR: An Ampang Sessions judge has issued an arrest warrant on a bomoh after he failed to show up in court for the third time. Soo Lai Chun, 53, who is facing two counts of rape, had failed to appear before judge Noradidah Ahmad Thursday for a decision in his case. “What is his problem this time?” said Noradidah.

Defence counsel M.C. Tan, who stood for Soo, told the court that his client was suffering from hypertension and headache. Noradidah, however, said that Soo’s action of handing in a medical certificate instead of appearing in court was “on purpose” and issued the warrant.

She also ordered a notice to be issued to the bailor and fixed Dec 27 for mention on the arrest. Soo was charged under Section 376 of the Penal Code for allegedly raping an underage girl, then 15, at about 2.30am at a house No. 16, Jalan elor 9, Taman Melor Ampang, here, on March 28, 2005.

He allegedly committed the same offence against the girl on March 29, 2005, at about 1am at the same place. If convicted, he can be sentenced to a maximum 20 years imprisonment and whipped. Prosecuting officer ASP Dr A. Vasu appeared for the prosecution.