5 years’ jail, three whippings for repeat drug offender

KUCHING: The Sessions Court here yesterday sentenced a repeat drug offender to five years in prison and three strokes of the rotan.

Judge Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad passed the sentence after Jamali Dobi in his 30s pleaded guilty as soon as the charges were read to him.

The accused, who was not represented, was found positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine drugs on June 29, 2020 at 12.30pm at the Narcotics Crime Investigation division here.

The court was also informed that the accused had two previous convictions for drug abuse.

Following that, deputy public prosecutor Ruthra Raj requested that the court impose a heavy sentence on the accused as a form of deterrent to others.

The accused was charged under Section 15 (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39C (1) of the same act, which provides for imprisonment of five to seven years and not more than three whippings.