Jail term increased plus cane over syabu

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KOTA KINABALU: A jobless youth’s jail sentence for possessing syabu was enhanced from 15 months’ to two years’ plus three strokes of the cane by the High Court here yesterday.

Justice Datuk Nurchaya Arshad made the decision in the case of Mohd Shafiq Longkian, 22, after allowing an appeal by the deputy public prosecutor Afzan Abd Kahar against the inadequacy of the sentence.

Mohd Syafiq, who was unrepresented, was sentenced on February 23 this year to 15 months’ jail by the lower court in Papar after he pleaded guilty to possessing 5.44 grams of syabu at a house in Kinarut on January 11.

The offence, framed under Section 39A (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, provides for a jail term of up to five years and a maximum nine strokes of the cane, upon conviction.