Save Raja Munirah

The New Straits Time - 27/5/2008

Raja Munirah Raja Iskandar needs to pay her fine of 1.5 million yen (RM46,800) or serve an extra 250 days in jail. She was found guilty of having 690g of syabu at Narita International Airport in 2006.

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 after finding that the argument submitted by Raja Munirah's counsel was merely based on the claim of breach of procedural law, which was not the appropriate ground to allow her application to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Her counsel, Rosal Azimin Ahmad, said the proper reason prescribed under Article 405 of Japan's Criminal Procedural Law was claim for breach of constitutional right.

He said Raja Munirah was sad over the decision but took it calmly.

Rosal Azimin said Raja Munirah might apply for parole but she must complete half of her jail term.

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

Her sentence was to run from the date of her arrest, which was Dec 20, 2006. She was, however, given a reduction of 270 days. She, therefore, has to serve a jail term of six years and nine months.

Meanwhile, Rosal Azimin appealed to the public for donations to pay the fine so that Raja Munirah does not have to serve the 250 days' jail term.

A few packets containing syabu weighing 690g were found in Raja Munirah's bag at Narita International Airport. She had gone to Tokyo to attend an interview for the post of public relations officer.

She is serving her sentence at the Tokyo detention centre in Kosuge. - Bernama