Suspended directly-elected lawmaker Sulu Sou Ka Hou said in a statement yesterday that he will withdraw his appeal – which he submitted on Monday – against last month’s ruling by the Court of First Instance (TJB) which found him guilty of illegal assembly and demonstration, adding that he will pay the fine imposed by the court so that he can resume his legislative duties as early as possible.
Sou said in the statement that he initially filed the appeal in case the Public Prosecution Office (MPP) had decided to appeal his sentence as well, which ultimately could have resulted in an even heavier penalty. Sou, a first-time lawmaker, said as it turned out that the Public Prosecution did not appeal by the given deadline, he decided, as initially planned, to withdraw his appeal
According to his statement, Sou said that his fellow non-establishment activist Scott Chiang Meng Hin will, however, go ahead with his separate appeal. Both Sou and Chiang were sentenced in the same trial for the same offence.
Suspended lawmaker Sulu Sou Ka Hou (left) speaks to reporters on May 29 after the announcement of the Court of First Instance’s (TJB) sentences, as fellow non-establishment activist Scott Chiang Meng Hin (right, front) looks on, outside the courthouse in Nam Van. Both were found guilty of illegal assembly and demonstration. Photo: Tony Wong
