IPOH: The main witness in the rape trial of former Perak executive council member Paul Yong (pic) will testify on Tuesday (July 13).

       However, since the witness who is also the victim, is placed under the Witness Protection Act (WPA), members of the media will not be able to sit in for the trial.

       She is expected to testify at about 2.15pm.

       Due to the pandemic, members of the media had been provided a room, where they are able to view the live proceedings involving other witnesses.

       But due to the WPA, the media members would not be allowed into the room as well when the victim, and another person who is also placed under the WPA testifies.

       High Court judge Abdul Wahab Mohamed had on June 24 made a ruling that when the witness gives evidence, only he (judge) would be able to see her.

       He had said that both the deputy public prosecutors and lawyers, however, would be able to hear the voices of the witnesses when they give evidence, but would not be able to see them.

       He had said both the witnesses would be protected under Section 20 of the Witness Protection Act (WPA), and Section 265 (A) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

       Justice Abdul Wahab had stressed in his ruling that the witnesses' names, addresses, and photographs should not be revealed.

       He had also said that the victim's name could only be mentioned in the proceedings, and their identities cannot be disclosed in public.

       The trial is expected to go on until Friday (July 16).

       On Aug 23, 2019, Yong claimed trial at the Ipoh Sessions Court to raping his then 23-year-old maid.

       The offence was allegedly committed in a room on the top floor of his house in Meru Desa Park on July 7 that year, between 8.15pm and 9.15pm.