Singaporean man faces death penalty in Malaysia on drug charges

Tan Ban Choon is accused of possessing and trafficking over 10kg of drugs at a flat in Johor

A Singaporean man was charged in Malaysia’s Johor on Tuesday with trafficking and possessing more than 10kg of drugs.

Tan Ban Choon, 47, was charged with one count of trafficking 10.024kg of powdered 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), Malaysian media outlets reported, citing court documents. MDMA is commonly known as Ecstasy.

Tan, who is unemployed, was also charged with four counts of drug possession – namely nine gram of heroin, 44 gram of cannabis, six gram of powdered MDMA and 31.3 gram of ketamine.

He allegedly committed the offences at a flat in Danga Bay on April 23 at 10pm.

If convicted of trafficking, Tan faces the death penalty or life imprisonment and no fewer than 15 strokes of the cane.

If convicted of possession, Tan may be jailed for up to five years, fined up to 100,000 ringgit (US$23,677) or both.

He is also charged under Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which restricts possession of raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-straw and cannabis. He faces two to five years’ jail and three to nine strokes of the cane, if convicted.

Tan, who was charged at Johor’s Sessions Court, did not have a lawyer and was not offered bail. He nodded after the charges were read to him in Mandarin before Judge Mohammad Khalid Ab Karim.

No plea was taken from him as the case is under the High Court’s jurisdiction, news outlet Malay Mail reported.

His case will be heard again on July 29 pending a chemical report.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been contacted for more information.

This story was first published by CNA