Filipino in Malaysia facing drug trafficking rap offered lesser charge

By: Yuji Vincent Gonzales - 8 years ago

A Filipino in Malaysia who had been charged with drug trafficking was offered a lesser charge of drug possession, the Daily Express reported.

The report said 34-year-old Hamid Ali was offered by the prosecution an alternative charge when the case was brought for mention before the High Court Deputy Registrar Mohd Zairi Zainal Abidin on Tuesday.

But the judge reportedly set the hearing for Feb. 18, the only date when Hamid’s plea on the alternative charge would be recorded.

Abidin also directed the parties to prepare their facts should the Filipino plead guilty of drug possession.

Hamid was charged with drug trafficking in August 2014 in front of a hotel in Ranau town.

Under Malaysia’s Dangerous Drug Act, drug trafficking carries a jail term of five to seven years and whipping of not more than three strokes.

Hamid is currently serving his fifth year in jail. YG/CDG