Prologue.05 The Rogue Trade of Si Tanggang

"I, the Pangulu of Remis on behalf of the people of Remis, bring this case against Nahoda Lipan of Si Tanggang on the charges of smuggling weapons to the underworld triads causing fear among the people of Remis".

"The smuggling occurred in the 34th week of this year. Though I am not able to present any witness of the smuggling, I have the contracts of the transactions to the smuggle of the weapons".

"Nahoda Lipan of Si Tanggang is an operator of barge vessels, and registered to bring in food and domestic items for trade with consumer items."

"On the 2nd day of week 34, Nahoda Lipan had berthed his barge vessel in the port of Belawan in the Parijs city, where he took in vegetable produce which were recorded and illicit weapons which were not recorded. At the berth his barges numbered 5."

"In the early hours of the 4th day of week 34, Nahoda Lipan left the port of Belawan, and within 3 hours had berthed at the jetty of Remis. At the jetty his barges numbered 4 and all carried vegetable produce."

"After the 4 barges were unloaded it left the jetty at midday with empty cargo, and within 3 hours berthed at the port of Belawan. At the port his barges numbered 5 and all were empty."

"I suspect that the remaining 1 barge carrying 30 tonnes of arms were set loose before coming into the jetty, and it was smuggled into the District by the underworld Triads."

"I call upon Tun Zohorin to present the evidences to His Honour".

Prologue.04 His Honour

His Honour greeted the Pangulu of Remis to the District Court of Dindings. The Pangulu replied his greetings, "Greetings to His Honour and the Court District of Dindings, may your wisdom be guided on the right path". 

"I, the Pangulu of Remis on behalf of the people of Remis, bring this charge case for His Honour's judgement. I bring with me Tun Zohorin of the Dindings Service as expert witness to present the evidence", continued the Pangulu.

His Honour read the charge sheet in solemn silence. The charge sheet had been submitted early yesterday morning. Besides his copy of the charge sheet were notations made by the scribe, and his personal notes. The charge sheet will result in grave consequences. 

His Honour was a man in his early middle age. He had been dispatched a few weeks earlier by his father to assume the role and responsibility of His Honour at the District Court on behalf of his ailing uncle. His Honour had an athletic physique, perhaps befitting a military officer than an administrative officer.

His Honour started the proceedings, "The Pangulu of Remis, present your case, charges and evidence".

Prologue.03 The District Court

It was nearing midday, the other four groups had already submitted their case to the District Court. The Pangulu of Remis had taken the time at the court yard to review the case to be presented with Tun Zohorin many times. Both appeared calm and not hurried, as though both had anticipated that they will be the last to be called into the District Court.

At midday, a guard came out to the court yard and called out for the Pangulu of Remis to enter the main hall of the District Court. The Pangulu and Tun Zohorin left their bench to be ushered by the guard to the hall of the District Court.

They stepped into the hall of the District Court and were ushered by the guard to the front row of benches to the right of the hall. The benches to the left of the hall were identical except that the two rows behind the front three were caged and had a separate door.

At the front of the hall was a long desk facing the row of benches. At the middle of the desk was sat His Honour and flanking him were two scribes. His Honour wore the black robe signifying the powers entrusted on him to hear the cases and provide a judgement. 

On the wall behind the desk were hung the crest and flags of the Kingdom, the State and the District. Other than that the walls of the hall were bare. 

Prologue.02 The Pangulu of Remis

The Pangulu stepped into the court yard and walked towards his young niece who sat on a bench to one side of the court yard. By then there were a few others occupying the few benches in the court yard. Each group was accompanied by the respective Pangulu. Almost all who came to the district courts were those to claim for monetary assistance or compensation. On the odd occasion there will be a claim for inheritance. 

The Pangulu of Remis was a seasoned way farer, his white hair glistening on his dark tanned skin. Two years ago the people of Remis elected him to be the new Pangulu upon the demise of the former Pangulu. The people of Remis were well pleased to have secured him to fill in the position. He was well sought after for his uncanny ability to read the sky and the stars. 

As he neared the bench, his niece saw him, stood up and greeted him, “Good morning Uncle”. He smiled and replied, “Good morning Zohorin. Remember what I told you, once we are in the court, you will have to address me as Pangulu of Remis”.

Prologue.01 The District Court Yard

The young Tun Zohorin was sat on a bench in the district court yard. It was the first time that she has had to come to a District Court. She did not know what to expect, so decided to leave her home early at the first light of day. 

She estimated that the size of the court yard was possibly 1,000 square meters and longish in the direction towards the main hall of the Court. There were several benches in the court yard and several flowering plants. The benches and plants were the only items in the court yard. She opened up her tablet and checked through her papers. All were in order including the references. 

She had been summoned by the Pangulu as a key witness to the charges that will be presented to the district court. She had worked within the week to compile the documentary evidence to support the observations by the Pangulu.