Kota Kinabalu: A 52-year-old man was jailed for life, Tuesday, by the High Court here for trafficking 712.2gm of syabu four years ago.
Low Khoong Kit was found guilty by Judge Datuk Celestina Stuel Galid of committing the offence on Jan 27, 2022, at 2.05pm, at the ground floor of the One Borneo Hypermall, Jalan Sulaman, Manggatal.
Low was convicted under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act, which carries the death sentence or imprisonment for life and whipping not less than 15 strokes if not sentenced to death, on conviction.
Celestina sentenced Low to life imprisonment, which is to be treated as a sentence of imprisonment for 30 years to run from the date of his arrest.
Low was spared the whipping due to his age of over 50.
A total of seven prosecution witnesses and one defence witness gave their testimonies throughout the trial.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Dana Arabi Wazani prosecuted while Low was represented by counsel Chong Kian Ming.
Meanwhile, five people were penalised by the Magistrate’s Court for having syabu.
Md Asrip Rajik, Rosli Mataril, Sarah, Md Aidil Mustakim and Abadil Juli pleaded guilty separately before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to having syabu weighing between 2.51gm and 0.03gm.
Asrip was sentenced to 13 months’ jail while, Aidil and Rosli were handed eight months’ jail each.
Abadil and Sarah were each received seven months’ jail.
The court ordered Asrip, Abadil, Sarah and Rosli to be referred to the Immigration Department thereafter.
The five were charged under Section 12 (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a fine of up to RM100,000 or up to five years’ jail, or both, on conviction.
Inspector Yusdi Basri prosecuted.
