IPOH: The Sessions Court here today fixed a five-day trial beginning Nov 11 of Perak state exco Paul Yong Choo Kiong, who was charged with raping his 23-year-old Indonesian maid.
Judge Norashima Khalid made the decision during a re-mention of the case today.
The accused, who is Tronoh state assemblyman, had claimed trial to the charge on Aug 23.
Yong allegedly committed the offence at his home in a room at Meru Desa Park here, at between 8.15pm and 9.15pm on July 7.
He was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment and a whipping upon conviction.
Yong is represented by Ramkarpal Singh, Leong Cheok Keng, R S N Rayer and Farhan Sapian, while deputy public prosecutor Azhar Mokhtar prosecuted.
Apart from Azhar, the prosecuting team also consists of Ainul Wardah Shahidan and Naidatul Athirah Azman.
Earlier, during the proceeding, Ramkarpal requested the court to set Oct 22 for case mention as he had just received 47 forensic and scientific documents.
"For the court record, we had written twice to the deputy public prosecutor pertaining to this matter.
"We’d probably get views from our experts to review the matter and it may take some time," he added.
Meanwhile, Azhar said a total of 24 witnesses would be called in during the trial.
During the proceeding, Gabriel Susayan, who is holding a watching brief for the maid's family, said the woman could be a "political pawn".
In response, Ramkarpal said if there was such an allegation, a police report should be lodged.
Meanwhile, Gabriel when met outside the court said he would suggest the maid's family to lodge a police report on the matter.