Court of Appeal spares two men gallows, orders 30 years jail plus 12 rotan strokes

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 21 — In a surprising turn of events, the Court of Appeal has spared two men from the gallows and sentenced them to 30 years in prison, with an additional 12 strokes of the cane each, for drug trafficking. A three-member panel consisting of Datuk Azmi Ariffin, Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz, and Datuk Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid made the decision, overturning the death sentences previously imposed on Muhamad Nor Aziz and Muhamad Shafiq Aliff Mazlan.

The men, who were arrested on Aug 24, 2019, had previously been convicted for trafficking 32.5 grammes of heroin, 45.2 grammes of monoacetylmorphines, and 895.9 grammes of Etizolam. Despite the appeal against their convictions, the court upheld the prison term and the caning sentence, deeming the delay in preparing the grounds of judgment by the trial judge insufficient to prejudice either appellant.

Judge Meor Hashimi expressed confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the trial, noting that the prosecution witness, who functioned as an "agent provocateur," provided consistent and credible evidence of the appellants' involvement in the crime.