High Court questions fairness of former sports ministry official's conviction

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur is reviewing the case of former Youth and Sports Ministry finance division secretary Otman Arsahd, who received a 15-year prison term and a RM284.2 million fine in 2023 for 32 abuse-of-power and 64 money-laundering offences. His counsel, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, argues that the Sessions Court misdirected the trial by hearing only a small portion of the 70 prosecution witnesses, neglecting key testimony and violating the right to a fair trial.

He further challenges the prosecution's decision to call two co-accused, who had previously entered plea bargains, as witnesses, describing them as "prosecution spies." Deputy public prosecutors Haresh Prakash Somiah and Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul represent the state. The appeal will proceed over three days before judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin.