TAWAU: An Indonesian male farmer who wore women’s underwear to conceal 1,078.9 gm of drugs two years ago, was sentenced to life imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane by the High Court, here, Tuesday.
Amriadi, 40, received the sentence from Judicial Commissioner Steve Ritikos at the end of the defence case. The drugs were concealed inside modified women’s underwear and a black abdominal binder he was wearing during the police inspection.
In his judgment, the court heard submissions from both sides and took into account the fact that Amriadi was arrested with drugs hidden on his body while attempting to leave Malaysia through the Tawau Ferry Terminal.
The court said the act demonstrated the accused’s determination and boldness in breaking the law despite being aware of the risk of arrest. The court ordered sentence to take effect from the date of his arrest on Oct 11, 2024.
According to the charge, the father of one was accused of trafficking 1,078.9 grams of the drug at the passenger inspection area of the Tawau Ferry Terminal Jetty at about 9.45am on 11 October 2024.
He was charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and not fewer than 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
Earlier, counsel Jhesseny P. Kang applied for a lighter sentence on the grounds that it was his client’s first offence, he had repented and needed to support a daughter.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Nisla Abd Latif argued that the court should impose a heavy sentence on the accused, taking into account the large quantity of drugs seized as a major factor, as well as the increasing number of drug-related arrests.
Amriadi’s trial began on March 10, 2026, during which five prosecution witnesses and one defence witness were called to testify.
