High Court upholds jail term for siblings linked to tahfiz fire

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has upheld the two-month sentence imposed for drug use on the two siblings implicated in a tahfiz arson which killed 23 lives.

Justice Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak made the decision after dismissing an appeal by the prosecution to enhance the sentence meted out by the Court for Children on Nov 28 last year.

He said there was no merit in the prosecution’s appeal.

On Nov 28, Magistrate Zilfinaz Abbas had sentenced the siblings, now aged 17 and 18, after they pleaded guilty to taking cannabis in the toilet at D7, Criminal Investigation Department, Contingent Police Headquarters here, at 11.35am on Sept 16, 2017.

The court also imposed an undeposited bond of RM5,000 each and ordered them to report to the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) – accompanied by their mother – twice a month for two years.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Zalina Awang @ Mamat said the magistrate’s court had erred by failing to take into account the juveniles’ probation reports recommending for them to be sent to the Henry Gurney School in Melaka.

However, counsel S. Preakas argued that the magistrate’s court had considered all factors, including public interest, when meting out the sentence.

“One of my clients will be sitting for the SPM while his brother will be taking up a culinary course at Kolej Baitulmal.

“The two-month imprisonment is enough to serve as a lesson to them,” he said, adding that the two boys were currently involved in a programme organised by AADK. — Bernama