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TAWAU: A 39-year-old local woman was sentenced to seven days’ jail and fined RM11,500, in default two months’ imprisonment, after pleading guilty to drink-driving last month.

Sharifah Mahani Saidseh admitted before Magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin to the offence committed along Jalan Sim Hua Seng at about 1.15am on April 26.

She was found driving under the influence of alcohol after her blood alcohol content (BAC) was recorded at 142mg per 100ml of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 50mg per 100ml.

According to the facts of the case, Sharifah, who was driving a Toyota Hilux, was stopped by a team from the Tawau District Police Headquarters Traffic Division during

“Ops Mabuk” along Jalan Sim Hua Seng. Her vehicle was seen coming from the direction of an entertainment outlet.

An initial breath test using the S-D2+ device recorded 173mg per 100ml of blood, while a subsequent test using the EBA II device confirmed a reading of 142mg per 100ml.

Sharifah was charged under Section 45A(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for a maximum jail term of two years and a fine between RM10,000 and RM30,000 upon conviction.

In a separate case at the same court, a 40-year-old travel agent from Semporna was sentenced to two days’ jail and fined RM15,000, in default four months’ imprisonment, after also pleading guilty to drink-driving.

Feaiddie Yap Tong Nei admitted to driving an Audi along Jalan Kuhara at about 1.10am on May 16 while under the influence of alcohol.

He was found to have a BAC of 85mg per 100ml of blood, above the permitted limit.

Court documents showed that he was stopped by police during an integrated operation conducted by the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division after being suspected of driving under the influence.

An initial test using the S-D2+ device recorded 92mg per 100ml, before a confirmatory test using the EBA II device showed 85mg per 100ml.

Feaiddie was charged under the same provision of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Prosecuting officer ASP Joan Lee, from the Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Division (BEST), urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, citing rising drink-driving cases linked to fatal road accidents.

She said that although no accident occurred in this case, driving under the influence posed a serious risk to other road users.