A 27-year-old labourer has been fined RM3,000 after pleading guilty to exposing his one-year-eight-month-old daughter to dangerous drugs, causing the toddler to test positive for methamphetamine and benzodiazepines.
Mohamad Shahrul Hisham Lailatulazhma entered his guilty plea before Sessions Court Judge Zulkpli Abdullah on Monday.
According to the charge, the accused exposed his young daughter to dangerous drugs, resulting in the child’s body testing positive for benzodiazepines and methamphetamine.
The offence took place at a house in Taman Rantau Mas, Rantau Panjang, at about 10.30pm on 4 April.
He was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum penalty of RM20,000 in fines, up to 10 years’ imprisonment, or both, as well as a good behaviour bond.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Aisyha Nai’lah Harizan urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence, stressing that the victim was the accused’s own daughter and that he had failed in his responsibility as a father to protect her from harm.
She said the child was still very young and should never have been exposed to dangerous drugs under any circumstances.
The accused, who was not represented by a lawyer, appealed for a lighter sentence, saying he had repented and needed to support his family as his wife was unemployed. He also informed the court that his daughter is now in good health.
The court sentenced Mohamad Shahrul Hisham to a RM3,000 fine, with a default sentence of three months’ imprisonment if he fails to pay.
In addition, the court ordered him to execute a RM2,000 good behaviour bond with one surety for one year and complete 36 hours of community service.
