His lawyer, Shaharuddin Ali, said the defence would object to the trial on May 25 as the complainant had died due to an accident some time ago.

“The deputy public prosecutor said they want to proceed with the case. I cannot imagine how they will proceed without the complainant, who has passed away.

“Anything to do with the complainant, Luqman Hakeem Othman, we will object,” he told FMT.

Details surrounding the witness’ death were not immediately known.

Hamim initially had three ongoing trials.

Yesterday, the Tangkak magistrate’s court gave him a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for the extortion case due to the star witness’ death.

Another case related to a murder threat is ongoing.

Hamim is currently serving a one-year sentence for staging a daring escape from the court lockup. The 33-year-old Rohingya escaped through the main gate of the court on Dec 15 while waiting for his case to begin, but was rearrested in Sungai Petani, Kedah, two weeks later.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Tangkak police chief Fadhil Minhat said police had done their part in completing the investigation and would not have further comments on the DNAA status of Long Tiger’s extortion case.

“We have done our part. We have submitted the investigation paper to the deputy public prosecutor. It’s up to the court to decide the rest,” he told FMT.