SIBU: An unemployed man was sentenced to life imprisonment, equivalent to a 30-year term, by the High Court here today (Mar 7) after being convicted of drug trafficking.
Justice Wong Siong Tung, who found Wong Lee Ming, 34, from Rejang Park, guilty after a full trial, also ordered him to receive 12 strokes of the cane.
Additionally, the accused was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, along with three strokes of the cane, for a separate charge of drug possession.
Justice Wong handed down the sentences after considering both mitigating and aggravating factors as well as public interest. He ordered that both prison terms run concurrently, effective from the accused’s arrest on Feb 16, 2023.
The drug trafficking charge stated that Wong trafficked 69.82g of methamphetamine at a house on EK Dee Road on Feb 16, 2023 at about 7.10pm, thereby committing an offence under Section 39B(1)(A) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under subsection 39B(2) of the same Act.
The drug possession charge stated that he was found in possession of 21.83g of methamphetamine at the same time and location, committing an offence under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under subsection 39A(1) of the same Act.
Before sentencing, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Mark Kenneth Netto noted that public interest must take precedence over the accused’s personal circumstances, as highlighted during his mitigation.
He noted that the accused was convicted of trafficking and possession of a significant quantity of drugs—91.65g of methamphetamine in total.
DPP Mark asserted that part of the motivation behind Wong’s crime was to sustain his own drug addiction.
“No credit for remorse should be given, as the accused did not plead guilty at the first opportunity. He maintained his innocence and sought a full trial, which not only incurred significant public costs but also consumed valuable judicial time,” he argued.
DPP Mark also highlighted Wong’s lack of cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
“During the trial, he was questioned about ‘Orang Foochow,’ the alleged supplier, but he denied ever purchasing drugs from this individual. He has provided no assistance in disrupting any drug trafficking activities,” he said.
Calling Wong a “hardened career criminal,” DPP Mark pointed out that the accused had multiple prior convictions related to narcotics, making rehabilitation unlikely.
DPP Mark also refuted any suggestion that Wong was forced into a life of crime, noting that his background did not indicate a history of violence, a broken home or early exposure to drugs.
“He made a deliberate decision to get involved in drugs,” he said.
He further stressed the broader societal harm caused by drug trafficking, stating that public funds allocated to combat narcotics-related crimes were at an all-time high.
“The accused’s activities have torn apart families and ruined communities. The drugs he supplied have left individuals unemployed and led to an increase in crimes such as housebreaking, domestic violence and robbery,” he said.
“The lives of drug addicts are taken over and, eventually, lost due to addiction. If the accused considers himself a family man deserving of leniency, what about the families destroyed by the drugs he supplied?” he questioned.
DPP Mark concluded by stating that the sentence must serve as a strong deterrent to potential offenders, reinforcing the message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated.
A total of five prosecution witnesses testified during the trial. The accused was represented by lawyer Daren Ling.
