Kota Kinabalu: A 36-year-old man was fined RM4,000, or three months’ jail, for possessing 2,960 millilitres of liquid containing mitragynine, commonly known as ketum.
Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan imposed the sentence on Muhamad Zairul Ahmad after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Muhamad was found in possession of the liquid containing mitragynine, a substance listed under the First Schedule and Third Schedule (Psychotropic Substances) of the Poisons Act 1952, at the parking area of a housing estate in Tuaran at about 8.30pm on May 18.
The offence under Section 30(3), punishable under Section 30(5) of the Poisons Act 1952, carries a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
In mitigation, Muhamad, who was represented by counsel Michelle Usman, appealed for a lenient sentence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Shafeerah Mad Iskim, however, urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence.
In a separate matter, two employers were each fined **RM5,000**, or six months’ jail in default, for allowing illegal immigrants to remain on their premises.
Satham Hussain and Abit Amir were sentenced by Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain after they pleaded guilty in separate proceedings.
Satham admitted allowing a Filipina, who did not possess valid travel documents, to remain at Restoran Noor Deen Maju in Lintas Square here at 8.35pm on May 20, 2025.
Abit admitted permitting a Pakistani national without valid travel documents to remain at Abit Enterprise, a grocery shop in Kampung Dabak, Jalan Kambau, Penampang, at 8.45pm on Dec 29, 2025.
Both paid their fines.
Immigration Department prosecuting officer Mohd Sharifuddin Salim appeared for the prosecution.
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