A notice of appeal against the acquittal of car salesman Shahril Jaafar in a high-profile murder case has been filed in the High Court in Alor Setar, Kedah, by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC).

The notice of appeal was filed amid alleged pressure from the family for the victim, Chee Gaik Yap, 25, following a signature campaign pressing for appeal following her rape and death.

Contacted today, the head of the appeal and trial division of the AGC, Nordin Hassan, confirmed with Malaysiakini that the notice of appeal has been filed.

NONE "It was filed last Friday," said Nordin, who had indicated early last week that the AGC was scrutinising the case and would make a decision on the matter soon.

Normally, the prosecution has 14 days to file a notice of appeal and it is given more time to state the grounds.

On June 25, Shahril, who is the son of a "datuk", was acquitted of murdering Chee in the compound of Kelab Cinta Sayang, Sungai Petani, between 5.30pm on Jan 14, 2006, and 3.05am the following day.

When judicial commissioner Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab gave his verdict in the High Court in Alor Setar, Shahril, 33, rushed out of the dock and out of the courtroom, startling everybody present.

'Shahril's DNA with not match with the semen stains'

Mohd Zaki ruled that Shahril's DNA with not match with the semen stains taken from the victim's private part.

Shahril grabbed headlines when his businessman father was reported to have fled to Perth in 2006 and obtained an Australian permanent resident status.

The accused had also left the country on police bail pending the DNA test, but was arrested by police at the KL International Airport on arrival from Perth on Jan 17 last year, after which the trial against him proceeded.

NONE Chee died from stab wounds to her neck.

The acquittal prompted a public outcry, particularly within the Chinese community.

Several NGOs and Pakatan Rakyat representatives helped the victim's family to collect more than 100,000 signatures nationwide to call for appeal against the judgment.

The family, from Sungai Petani, last Friday submitted the signatures, together with a petition letter, to the AGC.

Besides the signature campaign, it was reported that 26 individuals in Johor Bahru have lodged police reports demanding justice for Chee.