Narathiwat court extends Eda Ezrin's detention for fourth time
KOTA BARU: The Narathiwat Provincial Court today granted a further one-month extension of detention against Malaysian dikir barat singer Eda Ezrin, marking the fourth such extension since her arrest in November last year.
A court spokesperson said the decision followed a formal application by the Thai prosecution on May 30. The new remand period starts today and will expire on July 6.
The extension also applies to the five other Malaysians detained alongside Eda, including her husband.
The six were arrested by Thai police for their alleged involvement in the possession of 6,059 yaba pills - a type of methamphetamine popular in Thailand and neighbouring countries.
"Investigations by the Thai prosecutors are still ongoing, and the extended detention is to facilitate further enquiries, as prosecutors consider whether to appeal a previous court decision that acquitted the group of the drug possession charges at other courts, including the High Court," said the spokesperson.
In March this year, the Narathiwat Court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to directly link Eda and the others to the narcotics found during a raid in Sungai Golok in November 2024.
However, they were each sentenced to six months' jail and fined 4,000 baht (approximately RM520) for drug consumption—a sentence they had effectively served. The fines were later waived.
Despite the acquittal, the group has not been released, as the prosecution still retains the right to appeal.
Eda's mother, Zaharah Mamat, has publicly voiced her frustration and concern, revealing that she had sold personal belongings—including gold jewellery worth over RM26,000—to help cover mounting legal costs that now exceed RM65,000.
The case continues to draw public attention in Malaysia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Thai PM thanks Anwar for offer to assist in border dispute
BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has discussed the Thai-Cambodia border situation with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a phone call on Friday, where Anwar expressed readiness to assist both sides in resolving the dispute. "Thank you, PM Anwar Ibrahim, for the call this afternoon to discuss the Thai-Cambodian border situation and to express readiness to help both sides resolve the matter. I reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to a peaceful resolution through existing bilateral mechanisms while safeguarding our sovereignty in accordance with international law," she stated on her official X account. Malaysia, as the current Asean chair, is closely monitoring developments on the border issue. Earlier on Friday, after chairing a National Security Council meeting, Paetongtarn announced Thailand had established a special task force to address security concerns along its border with Cambodia. She said the army had been assigned to coordinate operations and maintain readiness to respond to any developments, prioritising sovereignty protection while ensuring international relations and national security. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Supreme Commander General Songwit Noonpakdee, National Security Council Chief Chatchai Bangchuad, and the military's commanders-in-chief. On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops engaged in a brief gunfight in Thailand's north-eastern Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia's northern Preah Vihear province, where one Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed. Cambodia has since announced its intention to bring the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Meanwhile, both countries have agreed to discuss the issue through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), which is set to meet in Phnom Penh on June 14.– BERNAMA
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Cambodian troops deploy 12,000 soldiers near Chong Bok border: Source
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has mobilised 12,000 troops to reinforce its presence along the Thai-Cambodian border in the Chong Bok area of Ubon Ratchathani province, a source from local security agencies said on Friday (June 6). According to the source, military personnel and heavy weaponry have been continuously deployed since tensions escalated between Thai and Cambodian forces at Ta Moan Thom Temple, located near Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district, in February. Following the initial conflict, Cambodia increased its military presence in Chong Bok, stationing over 10,000 troops and reinforcing its arsenal. However, after clashes in the area that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, an additional 3,000 troops were deployed, bringing the total number of Cambodian forces in Chong Bok to 12,000. These troops are now spread across strategic locations, including Hill 745, Hill 641, and the Mom Bei (Tri Muk Pavilion) area. Cambodian forces are reported to have stationed heavy artillery and military equipment along the border. - The Nation/ANN
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Prisoner escapes gallows, gets seven years for killing cellmate
TAIPING: An oil palm plantation worker escaped the death penalty after the High Court here today sentenced him to seven years' jail on an amended charge of manslaughter involving the death of a detainee at Taiping Prison six years ago. Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin handed down the sentence on Mohd Nizam Shah Shahruddin, 40, after he pleaded guilty to the amended charge under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He was previously charged under Section 302 for murder. The prison term was ordered to begin from the date of his arrest on Aug 29, 2019. Nizam was suspected of causing the death of Chua Teng Wooi, 41, at the Taiping Prison remand cell at about 9.30pm on the same day. Noor Ruwena said the decision was reached after considering the facts of the case, submissions by both the prosecution and defence, as well as the statements of the accused and witnesses. The court accepted that Nizam had raised reasonable doubt regarding any intent to kill, stating he was angered by the victim's behaviour and intended only to "teach him a lesson." According to the judge, testimony revealed that Chua had been beaten by multiple detainees in the remand cell due to his habit of defecating indiscriminately, believed to be caused by diarrhoea. The court also noted uncertainties over whether the accused and others were responsible for the lung injuries that caused the victim's death, citing testimony suggesting the injuries may have resulted from a fall in the prison toilet due to poor lighting. "The accused's statement that he had awakened other inmates to help the deceased after the fall, and had carried the deceased, was not disputed. The affidavit stating that other detainees had also assaulted the victim was similarly unchallenged," said Noor Ruwena. Deputy public prosecutor Sally Chay Mei Ling led the prosecution, while counsel Rajit Singh Tara Singh represented the accused.
