Pubdate: Thu, 23 Jun 2005
Source: Malay Mail (Malaysia)
Pubdate: June 23, 2005
Contact:  http://www.mmail.com.my/
Address: Balai Berita 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Bangsar, Wilayah Persekutuan, 
Malaysia
Fax: 6-03-2284-9133
Copyright: Copyright The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia)
Author: Shah Alam, Selangor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

10 STROKES FOR HAVING CANNABIS

An Indonesian lorry driver was yesterday sentenced by the High Court to 15 
years' jail and ordered to given 10 strokes of the rotan for having 980.3gm 
of cannabis five years ago.

Mohamed Nor, 40, admitted having the drug in Jalan PJS4/27B, Taman Medan, 
Petaling Jaya about 5.40pm on July 13, 2000.

The charge under Section 6 and punishable under Section 39A (2) of the 
Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 carries a jail term of between five and 20 years, 
and whipping of not less than 10 strokes.

Mohamed Nor was originally charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs 
Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death sentence.

However, the court amended the charge after seven witnesses were called to 
testify.

In mitigation, Mohamed Nor's counsel, Sreekant Pillai pleaded for leniency.

DPP Saiful Edris Zainuddin, however, pressed the court for a maximum 
sentence, urging it to consider the widespread crimes involving drugs.

Judicial Commissioner Datuk Zaharah Ibrahim ordered Mohamed Nor's jail term 
to run from the date of his arrest on July 13, 2000.
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