M'sian teacher fails to show up in court

A Malaysian teacher who has been charged with criminal trespass did not show up for her first scheduled court appearance yesterday, due to medical reasons.

Nurul Ruhana Ishak, 28, "is deemed unfit to attend trial" and the case has been postponed to Feb 26, Malaysia Deputy High Commissioner Kamsiah Kamaruddin told The Straits Times.

She said the postponement was requested by prosecutors based on recommendations by doctors at the Institute of Mental Health, where Nurul, a native of Kedah state, has been remanded for about two weeks and where she will continue to receive medication till her court appearance.

Nurul allegedly slipped past immigration officers at the Woodlands checkpoint on Jan 17.

She was arrested three days later when she entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs compound without authorisation.