MELAKA: A 21-year-old woman has been jailed for nine months for causing the death of her five-month-old foetus.
Ayer Keroh Magistrate Sharda Shienha Mohd Suleiman imposed the sentence after the accused pleaded guilty when the charge was read to her on Friday (May 23).
According to the charge sheet, the accused had induced an abortion with the intention of preventing a live birth.
The offence was committed at around 10pm in a room of a house in Bandar Hilir here on May 12.
The accused faced a maximum of 10 years' jail, or a fine, or both under Section 315 of the Penal Code if found guilty.
According to the facts of the case, she sought treatment at Hospital Melaka for breast engorgement, claiming she had suffered a miscarriage.
However, the unmarried woman later admitted taking abortion pills bought via social media, and giving the aborted foetus to a friend for burial.
DPP Syaza Nur Sharif proposed an appropriate custodial sentence, citing the widespread prevalence of social issues.
The accused's lawyer Muhammad Izzuddin Ab Malek pleaded for minimal imprisonment and a fine because his client earns only RM1,800 a month and has to support her three schoolgoing siblings and 76-year-old father.
He added that his client terminated the pregnancy after being repeatedly pressured by her boyfriend.
The court then ordered the woman's jail term to begin from the date of her arrest on Monday (May 19).
