TAWAU: Two foreigners face the death penalty after being charged in the Tawau magistrate's court today with drug trafficking by concealing drugs in their underwear, undergarments and shoes last week.
The accused, Amriadi, 40, and Rudi Jalil, 39, nodded to indicate their understanding of the charges, which were read separately before magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin and magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum.
However, no plea was recorded, as the offence falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charges, Amriadi is accused of trafficking 1,541.43 grams of methamphetamine at the passenger inspection area of the Tawau Ferry Terminal at 9.45 am on Oct 11.
Meanwhile, Rudi Jalil allegedly trafficked 269.61 grams of methamphetamine at the Departure Hall of the terminal on the same date and time.
For this offence, both men were charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act. If convicted, they could face the death penalty or life imprisonment, together with a minimum of 12 strokes of the rotan.
Additionally, they were charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the DDA for self-administration of drugs.
The prosecution was led by Assistant Superintendent Jeffrey Kadisun and Assistant Superintendent Nur Intan Jamrin.
Rudi was represented by counsel Jhassery P. Kang from the National Legal Aid Foundation, while Amriadi had no legal representation.
The court set the case for further mention on Nov 21 and Dec 2, pending the results of the report from the Chemistry Department.
Tawau police chief Assistant Commissioner Jasmin Hussin, in a press conference on Oct 14, reported that the suspects were detained while attempting to board a ferry at the Tawau Ferry Terminal en route to Nunukan Port in Indonesia.
He said the suspects had concealed drugs in modified underwear and undergarments, as well as in the soles of their shoes, but the security personnel on duty managed to detect them.