TAWAU: An Indonesian labourer was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court, here, Tuesday after pleading guilty to possessing 35.18gm of syabu in July.
Dedy Abdullah, 44, who had no valid travel documents, entered his guilty plea before Sessions Court Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya after the amended charge was read to him.
The court ordered him to serve his prison sentence from the date of his arrest. He will also be referred to the Immigration Department upon completing his sentence.
Dedy was arrested at about 2.30pm on July 8 after he was found in possession of the drugs by the roadside in Kg Otentik, Jalan Tanjung Batu Laut.
According to the facts of the case, police spotted him behaving suspiciously during a raid in the area. He attempted to flee but was subsequently apprehended.
He sustained several minor injuries to his face during the incident and later admitted to keeping the syabu in his trouser pocket.
He was charged under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39A(2) of the same Act.
The provision carries a penalty of life imprisonment or a jail term of between five years and life, together with whipping of not less than 10 strokes, upon conviction.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Wildan Firdaus Ahmad Fazly urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence in the interest of the public.
He highlighted that drug-related offences continued to pose a serious concern in Sabah, particularly in Tawau and Semporna.
He also argued that the quantity of syabu, weighing 35.18gm, was substantial and unlikely to have been intended solely for personal consumption.
Dedy was unrepresented in court.
