In second trial, man in Sibu gets 10 years, 10 strokes for meth possession

SIBU (Dec 11): The Sessions Court here sentenced a man to 10 years in prison and 10 strokes of the cane for possessing 34.51 grammes of methamphetamine two years ago.

Judge Musyiri Peet imposed the sentence on Voon Uu Long after ruling the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt following a full trial, and ordered the imprisonment to commence from the date of his rearrest on Aug 20, 2025.

This was the accused’s second time on trial, after he was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) last year for the same offence.

He was rearrested on Aug 20 this year and charged again under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39A(2)(R) of the same Act.

The Section provides for life imprisonment or a minimum of five years in jail, and not less than 10 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

He committed the offence in front of a house on Jalan Medang here on April 4, 2023.

In mitigation, the accused through his lawyer informed the court that he needed to care for his 71-year-old mother who depended on him for her daily needs, transportation, and basic expenses.

“A lengthy prison sentence will leave her without meaningful social or financial support,” said Michelle Ling, who stood in for counsel Roger Lau.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Mark Kenneth Netto, in presenting the aggravating factors, said no credit for remorse should be given to the accused as he did not plead guilty at the outset.

Instead, he said the accused had maintained his innocence and requested a full trial.

“Five witnesses were called during this trial — four from the prosecution and one from the defence.

“The trial not only incurred significant costs to the public but also consumed the valuable time of this honourable court,” said the DPP.