Repeat offender in Kuching gets six years, two strokes for drug abuse

KUCHING (March 9): The Sessions Court here on Monday sentenced a 39-year-old man to six years’ imprisonment and two strokes of the cane after he was convicted again of drug abuse.

Sessions Court Judge Iris Awen Jon convicted Chong Hen Sen under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (DDA), punishable under Section 39C(1)(b) of the same Act.

Section 39C(1)(b) carries imprisonment of between five and seven years, along with whipping of not more than three strokes upon conviction.

The court also ordered Chong to undergo two years of supervision after serving his custodial sentence.

Chong, represented by court-appointed counsel Russell Lim from the National Legal Aid Foundation, pleaded guilty at the end of the prosecution’s case after a prima facie case was established through seven witnesses.

He tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine at the Kuching District Police Narcotics Crime Investigation Department office at around 2.20pm on March 5, 2023.

Chong had two prior convictions for the same offence, recorded in January, 2012 and October, 2019.

Deputy public prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng appeared for the prosecution.