TAWAU: A Tawau Native Chief (KAN) was sentenced to 30 days in jail and RM10,000 in fines in default 30 days' jail on Wednesday for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Aidy Matamin, 61, was sentenced by Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol at a level twice the legal limit.
Aidy was also disqualified from holding a driving licence for two years.
He was found committing the offence at the Investigation and Enforcement Division of the Tawau District Police Headquarters (Traffic Police) around 12.20pm on Feb 9, this year.
According to the case facts, Aidy was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol when he was involved in an accident when his Perodua Ativa hit the right side of a Proton Wira driven by a 28-year-old man.
The accident occurred when the victim was driving from Hill Top to Tanjung Batu and Aidy suddenly lost control of his Ativa, veered into the opposite lane, and collided with the victim’s vehicle, causing it to spin in the middle of the road.
In the accident, only the victim’s passenger sustained a head injury and neck pain.
A breath test using the EBA II device on Aidy revealed a blood alcohol content of 168 milligrammes (mg) per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood – well above the legal limit of 50mg per 100ml.
In his mitigation, unrepresented Aidy requested a lighter sentence, expressing regret and remorse, and claimed he was not a habitual drinker but was merely celebrating with a friend from peninsula.
He also claimed to have taken paracetamol and cold medicine the afternoon before the incident because he was feeling unwell.
Meanwhile, Prosecuting Officer ASP Joan Lee requested the court to impose a heavier sentence as a deterrent, emphasising that driving under the influence was a serious offence that could result in severe accidents.