Controlled items: Filipino is jailed
Published on: Saturday, June 29, 2024
By: Cynthia D Baga
The offence under Section 20 of the Paddy and Rice Control Act carries a fine of up to RM15,000, or a jail term of up to two years, or both, on conviction.
Kota Kinabalu: A 46-year-old Filipino was jailed 16 months for in possession several types of controlled items without a valid permit.
Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus handed down the sentence to Utuh Ladja Lablus who admitted to the charge.
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On the first count, Utuh was jailed 10 months for having 19 units of gas cylinders, 20 boxes of cooking oil, seven boxes of flour and seven packs of sugar without licence.
He committed the offence at 10pm on June 13 this year inside a pump boat at the waters of Pulau Guhuan, here.
On the second count, he was sentenced to six months’ jail for illegally having 13 sacks of rice which he tried to smuggle to Philippines, at the same place and time.
The offence under Section 20 of the Paddy and Rice Control Act carries a fine of up to RM15,000, or a jail term of up to two years, or both, on conviction.
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During mitigation, Utuh asked for leniency saying that he has family in the Philippines to look after.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Risal Abd Fikkah urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence.
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The court heard that Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency stopped the boat and upon checking, the team found the controlled items.
After completing the jail sentence, Utuh was ordered referred to the Immigration Department.
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