SIBU: A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison and 21 strokes of the cane after being convicted on six drug-related charges by the High Court on Thursday (April 24).
High Court Judge Justice Wong Siong Tung ordered that all prison sentences are to run concurrently from the date of the man's arrest, which was on February 28, 2023.
The offences took place between 1.50am and 2.30am on the same day at a house located along Jalan Then Kung Suk. The accused was found trafficking a total of 439.44gm of methamphetamine and nimetazepam.
During sentencing, deputy public prosecutor Mark Kenneth Netto urged the court to impose a severe punishment, citing multiple aggravating factors. He emphasised that public interest must take precedence over the personal circumstances of the accused.
“The level of premeditation was extremely high. The accused rented a room specifically to operate it as a drug den and even carried drugs into the Sibu city centre,” said Netto.
He noted that the quantity of methamphetamine trafficked was seven times the legal minimum required to constitute trafficking under Malaysian law, adding that the accused was motivated by profit while simultaneously feeding his own drug addiction.
Netto further highlighted that the accused attempted to discredit the arresting officers in a bid to secure an acquittal. He described the verdict as a "day of vindication" for the police team involved.
“The accused is a repeat offender whose actions have destroyed families, ruined lives, and fuelled the rise in related crimes such as robbery and domestic violence,” he said.
He also argued that the accused should not be given credit for remorse, as he had not pleaded guilty and had insisted on a full trial, thereby consuming public resources and judicial time.
Netto added that the accused had offered no assistance to law enforcement in efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks.
“The sentence must reflect the need for general deterrence and send a strong message to others considering similar crimes,” he concluded.
The accused was represented by defence counsel Leong Lu Fei during sentencing, following the passing of co-counsel Augustine Liom.
