He made the ruling when allowing a preliminary objection raised by Repco over the legal standing of two Securities Commission prosecuting officers in its case.
32.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs prosecuting officer Wan Mohd Yusof Wan Taib said enforcement officers found Yap in possession of the tapes during a check.
33.
Defence lawyers-Salim Tawfik and Abdallah Juma-boycotted a court session and withdrew from representing Uamsho, accusing the police and prosecuting officers of acting under unnecessary secrecy.
34.
Earlier, prosecuting officer Chief Inspector Abdullah Zawawi said he had to refer the matter to the Deputy Public Prosecutor's office in Ipoh for further instructions.
35.
However, it has been argued that civil action is a more effective alternative than relying on prosecuting officers who are often bogged down and ill-equipped.
36.
Prosecuting officer Chief Inspector Mohd Ali Ahmad in his submission said the prosecution had established a prima facie case and Cheah ought to enter his defence.
37.
The three women, all part-time models, were represented by lawyers Zulkifly Che Yong and Azmi Mohd Rais while Syariah chief prosecuting officer Mohamad Rais Rasid prosecuted.
38.
Police Minister Moshe Shahal said he agreed with the accusation and instructed the police to investigate and when necessary prosecute officers suspected of making unnecessary arrests.
39.
Prosecuting officers have the task of convincing the courts that these preventable offences have far-reaching and expensive consequences which society is no longer willing to tolerate.
40.
Prosecuting officer from the department, Ismail Mahmod, asked the court for an appropriate sentence as the case involved a large number of protected and totally protected animals.
