My First Court Experience

Woke up 5:30am in the morning for preparation in order to leave house early so that I won’t be late for today’s court case. I put on a proper attire to pay respect to the Judge in charged hoping that I won’t get a bad penalty.

I was actually representing the company for a pesticide summon which happened in the store I in charged around almost 2 years ago. Before I go, I snapped a photo for Facebook using my webcam. I was in fact not nervous about attending the court.

The rain was heavy since last night and the whether was so hazy. Heard that there was a sun eclipse today. Know that it’s rare but I had no time for this. Reached Jalan Duta Court Complex earlier than expected and was checking around the building.

Ivan joined me soon after. We went to Civil Magistrate Court 8 and waited there. Before we waited long, a Malay lady approached us, “Are you Dr. Chong?” I said “Yes!” and wondering why she knew my name? She then told us that we were in the wrong place.

The young pendakwa officer brought us into Criminal Magistrate Court 8! We never thought our case was under criminal! She checked whether we want to admit guilty and actually taught us how to rayu for a minimal hukum!

The court was freezing cold! But we were not alone. Most of them were same as us, representing their companies for summon. Many pendakwa officers, lawyers and a few court clerks. With the bell sounded so sudden, everybody stood and bowed when the Judge in.

Upon calling up our case, I stepped a front representing my company to answer the call. Tuduhan was read out and I was asked whether to admit guilty. The clerk then read “kalau bersalah, boleh dihukum 3 tahun penjara, atau dende 10 ribu ringgit, atau kedua-duanya… Masih mengaku salah?” I replied “Mengku salah!”

It was the company’s decision to admit straightaway. And our legal advisor was so eager to represent us in court. But we refused him and I was elected to represent the company in this case. And this is the reason why I was standing here in this scene.

Then, it was an embarrassing moment, which the pendakwa officer threw out the evidence, packs of confiscated flea and tick collars on the table. And after all, it was my rayuan time. I spoke a few simple words as suggested by the pendakwa officer and ended with “Itu sahaja.”

Soon the Judge read the hukum which I couldn’t hear clearly, “…dende xx ribu xx ratus ringgit xx penjara 4 bulan…” My heart was almost stopped for a while when I heard the word penjara! While still in hesitation I was asked to sit a side to wait.

Cases by cases passed. I was thinking “Am I supposed just a wakil for my company? Then, what is this penjara all about?” I was also thinking why the Judge asked for surat wakil from other cases but not from me since I was also a wakil.

It was a deep worry if the court had make a mistake and the case was charged on my name! Oh, no! Remember, I was just a wakil! Who is going for imprisonment for this! But I couldn’t get a clarification as other cases were going on like Rush Hour in the court.

It was almost an hour waiting before the Judge took a break. I rushed to the pendakwa officer for clarification. I asked her what was the hukum. And she replied “Saya pun tak dengar jelas. Apa yang you dengar?” “Emm… I dengar tak tau seribu dua ke empat ratus…” “Tak apa, I tanya dulu…”

The case ended with a fine. And it is charged under the name of my company. Not my name! I was relieved! The whole thing settled by paying up the fine at the payment counter. Case’s closed and over! And this is me in front of the Court Complex.

2009 July 22, blackout night