Save Raja Munirah

The Star - 27/05/2008

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian student Raja Munirah Raja Iskandar has failed in her final attempt to quash her conviction and jail term for attempting to smuggle syabu at the Narita International Airport in 2006.

The decision was pronounced by the Japan Supreme Court on May 20, which found the argument by Raja Munirah's counsel of a breach of procedural law as not appropriate for leave to appeal to the court.

When contacted, her counsel Rosal Azimin Ahmad said Raja Munirah was saddened by the decision but took it calmly.

Raja Munirah, 23, was sentenced to seven years and six months in jail and fined 1.5 million yen (about RM46,800) in default 250 days' jail by the Japan High Court after she pleaded guilty to the offence.

Her sentence was to run from the date of her arrest on Dec 20, 2006.

However, she was given a reduction of 270 days and now has to serve six years and nine months in jail. She is currently jailed at the Tokyo detention centre in Kosuge.

Rosal Azimin is also appealing to the public for donations to pay for Raja Munirah's fine.

Raja Munirah was arrested at the Narita Airport, when 690.80gm of syabu were found in her bag.

She claimed the bag was bought by an Iranian friend for her carry her winter clothes and that it was handed to her at KLIA before leaving for Tokyo.

Raja Munirah was going to Tokyo to attend an interview for a job as a public relations officer. – Bernama