Narathiwat court extends Eda Ezrin's detention for fourth time

New Straits Times

06-06-2025

KOTA BARU: The Narathiwat Provincial Court today granted a further one-month extension of detention against Malaysian dikir barat singer Eda Ezrin, marking the fourth such extension since her arrest in November last year.
A court spokesperson said the decision followed a formal application by the Thai prosecution on May 30. The new remand period starts today and will expire on July 6.
The extension also applies to the five other Malaysians detained alongside Eda, including her husband.
The six were arrested by Thai police for their alleged involvement in the possession of 6,059 yaba pills - a type of methamphetamine popular in Thailand and neighbouring countries.
"Investigations by the Thai prosecutors are still ongoing, and the extended detention is to facilitate further enquiries, as prosecutors consider whether to appeal a previous court decision that acquitted the group of the drug possession charges at other courts, including the High Court," said the spokesperson.
In March this year, the Narathiwat Court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to directly link Eda and the others to the narcotics found during a raid in Sungai Golok in November 2024.
However, they were each sentenced to six months' jail and fined 4,000 baht (approximately RM520) for drug consumption—a sentence they had effectively served. The fines were later waived.
Despite the acquittal, the group has not been released, as the prosecution still retains the right to appeal.
Eda's mother, Zaharah Mamat, has publicly voiced her frustration and concern, revealing that she had sold personal belongings—including gold jewellery worth over RM26,000—to help cover mounting legal costs that now exceed RM65,000.
The case continues to draw public attention in Malaysia.