TAWAU: The High Court here yesterday sentenced a 26-year-old man to death by hanging for drug trafficking.
Judge Datuk Nurchaya Hj Arshad enhanced Romi Ali’s sentence from 17 years’ jail and ten strokes of the cane handed down by the High Court here on February 14, 2014 after allowing the appeal by the prosecution and the charge was amended under Section 39B(1)(a) Dangerous Drug Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death sentence.
Romi, from Kampung Panji, Lahad Datu, was charged with trafficking in 1,155.96 grams of methamphetamine on March 4, 2013 at about 6.4 am beside a river at Pasir Putih Tanjung Batu Log Pond, Tawau.
Deputy public prosecutor Azeezi Nordin prosecuted the case while the accused was defended by counsel Kamaruddin Mohmed Chinki who stood in for counsel Ram Singh.
In a separate case yesterday, the High Court dismissed the appeal by a 24-year-old man and upheld his sentence of 18 years’ jail and six strokes of the cane for rape.
Nurchaya upheld the sentence of Syamsul Bahri Sangkala for rape under Section 376 (2) of the Penal Code handed down by the Lahad Datu Sessions Court.
Syamsul was convicted of raping his 14-year-old cousin on May 18, 2015 at 7.15pm in an oil palm plantation at Mile 7, Silam Road, Lahad Datu.
Counsel Jhassary Kang represented the appellant while deputy public prosecutor Azeezi Nordin represented the respondent.
Meanwhile, the High Court here yesterday sentenced a 41-year-old illegal immigrant to 12 years’ jail and ordered him to be given ten strokes of the cane for drug possession.
Judicial Commissioner Azhahari Kamal Ramli passed the sentence on Mohd Jamil Abdullah after he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge under Section 39A(2) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1852 which provides for imprisonment from five to 20 years, and not less than ten strokes of the cane.
Azhahari also ordered Mohd Jamil to be deported after serving the sentence.
The accused represented by counsel Hamid Hamzah Maydin, pleaded for a lenient sentence as he has two wives and 13 children and it was his first offense while deputy public prosecutor Azeezi Nordin pressed for a deterrent sentence as the accused is an illegal immigrant and involved with drugs.
Mohd Jamil was caught on December 20, 2013 at 11.30pm inside a vehicle beside Chen Fook Road, Sabindo Tawau for possession of 75.26 grams of syabu.
Police found a black plastic bag behind the dashboard of the vehicle and inside was an envelope containing the drug.
The accused came from Lahad Datu to Tawau to hand the drug to a person known only as ‘Man’.