MALAYSIA: DEATH SENTENCE FOR TWO SYABU TRAFFICKERS UPHELD

December 4, 2012: The Federal Court in Sabah State, Malaysia, upheld two men’s conviction and death sentence for separate charges of trafficking in syabu (methamphetamine).
Justices Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Raus Sharif, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Richard Malanjum, Tan Sri Abdull Hamid Embong and Dato’ Jeffrey Tan Kok Wha unanimously dismissed the appeals by Fung Siew Fah, 44, and Abirin L Ladjie, 34, who were represented by counsels Hamid Ismail and Sugumar Balakrishnan respectively.
Fung was found guilty by the High Court on July 3 this year of trafficking in 773.9 grams of syabu at Jalan Sin Onn Tiku in Tawau on May 26, 2005.
He then appealed to the Court of Appeal which upheld his death sentence on August 28, 2011.
The High Court had on April 23, 2010, convicted Abirin for trafficking 1,974 grams of syabu at the Customs Department arrival counter at Terminal One of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) here on May 25, 2007.
Each appellant was charged under Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Najib Zakaria prosecuted. (Sources: theborneopost.com, 05/12/2012)