Church calls for release of Nigerian man, not deportation
A church in Kuala Lumpur has called on the authorities to release Simon Momoh, a Nigerian who is under detention pending deportation by the Immigration Department after having served his one-day jail sentence for drink driving.
The Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, in a statement, urged the department to consider the well-being of Momoh's Malaysian wife and their two young children and not deport the 33-year-old.
It said that Momoh was a parishioner of the church and was known to be "a loving husband and doting father".
"We are not here to stand in the way of justice. Our faith teaches us that our God is righteous and desires justice – but in the case of Simon, we believe he has already served his sentence and paid his dues.
"We hope those making the decisions will keep in mind his young children and the distress they must be going through. As a community, we unite with Low Kar Hui, Divine and Elisha and pray that the right thing will be done for this young family," said priest Leonard Lexson, referring to the names of Momoh's wife and their children.
Momoh served his one-day jail sentence on March 15. The punishment was handed down to him after he was found guilty of drink driving under Section 45A(1) of the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2020. His wife also paid an RM12,000 fine that was imposed on Momoh.
The Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, in a statement, urged the department to consider the well-being of Momoh's Malaysian wife and their two young children and not deport the 33-year-old.
It said that Momoh was a parishioner of the church and was known to be "a loving husband and doting father".
"We are not here to stand in the way of justice. Our faith teaches us that our God is righteous and desires justice – but in the case of Simon, we believe he has already served his sentence and paid his dues.
"We hope those making the decisions will keep in mind his young children and the distress they must be going through. As a community, we unite with Low Kar Hui, Divine and Elisha and pray that the right thing will be done for this young family," said priest Leonard Lexson, referring to the names of Momoh's wife and their children.
Momoh served his one-day jail sentence on March 15. The punishment was handed down to him after he was found guilty of drink driving under Section 45A(1) of the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2020. His wife also paid an RM12,000 fine that was imposed on Momoh.
However, immigration authorities rearrested Momoh as soon as he was released that day.
'Innocent children'
Under Section 35 of the Immigration Act, any person reasonably believed to be a person liable for removal from Malaysia may be arrested without a warrant by any immigration officer or by a senior police officer and may be detained in any prison, police station or immigration depot for a period not exceeding thirty days pending a decision as to whether an order for his removal should be made.
It is learned that the department is planning to deport Momoh. They had revoked his long-term spouse visa and also dismissed an appeal by Low to have her husband released.
The church expressed its hope that the country's leaders and lawmakers would "get things right".
"We hope that our leaders and lawmakers have every incentive to get things right because errors can be extremely costly. They are costly not just to the person who is unfairly sentenced, but to the society, to those fighting the cause, to the victim’s friends and family and even more in this case to two very vulnerable, young and innocent Malaysian children.
"Our Christian faith tells us that God demands that we be fair to others and treat all with dignity and respect not only in the church but in our homes, schools, workplaces and in our community.
"We, therefore, call on the government of Malaysia, the judicial authorities and the immigration heads, to not allow for this unlawful detention or deportation of Simon Momoh. We appeal that he is allowed to be reunited with his family with immediate effect," said the statement.
The church is also hosting an online prayer vigil for Momoh and his family, scheduled for 8am this morning.
'Innocent children'
Under Section 35 of the Immigration Act, any person reasonably believed to be a person liable for removal from Malaysia may be arrested without a warrant by any immigration officer or by a senior police officer and may be detained in any prison, police station or immigration depot for a period not exceeding thirty days pending a decision as to whether an order for his removal should be made.
It is learned that the department is planning to deport Momoh. They had revoked his long-term spouse visa and also dismissed an appeal by Low to have her husband released.
The church expressed its hope that the country's leaders and lawmakers would "get things right".
"We hope that our leaders and lawmakers have every incentive to get things right because errors can be extremely costly. They are costly not just to the person who is unfairly sentenced, but to the society, to those fighting the cause, to the victim’s friends and family and even more in this case to two very vulnerable, young and innocent Malaysian children.
"Our Christian faith tells us that God demands that we be fair to others and treat all with dignity and respect not only in the church but in our homes, schools, workplaces and in our community.
"We, therefore, call on the government of Malaysia, the judicial authorities and the immigration heads, to not allow for this unlawful detention or deportation of Simon Momoh. We appeal that he is allowed to be reunited with his family with immediate effect," said the statement.
The church is also hosting an online prayer vigil for Momoh and his family, scheduled for 8am this morning.
Green Komunis Government , what else do you expect?
ReplyDeleteSo zalim this kerajaan, Wee KHAT Siong so eager to please his new BOSSKU PAS, introduce NO MERCY STRAIGHT TI PENJARA LAW....
ReplyDeleteQUOTE
What fine? It's straight to jail for first-time drink drivers
By Dawn Chan, Safwah Abdul Razak - September 18, 2020
PETALING JAYA: Drink driving offenders will no longer be slapped with fines but will also be jailed once the Road Transport Act (Amendment) Bill 2020, to be tabled at the Dewan Negara next week, is passed and gazetted.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the amendment sees the incorporation of the words fine and imprisonment, instead of fine and "shall be liable" to imprisonment, for those whose Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) exceeds the permitted level.
"The amendment will provide for fines and imprisonment. This means there is no option and offenders must be sent to jail. There is no compromise anymore.
"In the past, offenders could take it lightly thinking that they will only be fined for their first offence. But in the future, heavier sentences await them.
"If they are caught a second time, it will be even worse. We have to send a strong signal that we are serious. We are not taking away the rights of one to drink but they must not drive after consuming liquor," Wee said after launching the #CelebrateResponsibly campaign here today.
Wee said the ministry would work with other enforcement agencies on being equipped with the latest technology and tools such as breathalysers and ways to increase enforcement efficiency.
He said after a breathalyser test, the results of the offender's BAC results would be analysed and a chemist report would be produced in court as evidence.
"Our object is not to make people's life difficult. As long as one follows the law, they will be safe. The government is not interested in getting revenue through fines but this is to protect lives and families.
"The amendment is expected to be tabled at the Dewan Negara on Tuesday or Wednesday. I hope with the support of all Dewan Negara members, we will pass the bill and get the consent from the King within 30 days and subsequently be gazetted," said Wee.
UNQUOTE
Drink driving is one of the most serious crimes. In many non-Islamic nations and states, US, Canada, Aus, Europe, South Korea, even Hong Kong, a person caught drink driving goes to prison, the severity of the sentence depending on a number of factors. The famous HK actor, "Laughing Gor" (one of my faves) spent weeks in prison for drink driving.
DeleteAm glad Wee Ka Siong has seen fit to update the Malaysian Penal Code
In Australia, drink driving cases 30% of road deaths, while in Malaysia it is the cause 0f 4% of road deaths.
DeleteI do not minimise the danger of drink driving, and there are already laws in Malaysia that cover the offence , including fines, suspension of licence and jail.
Wee Ka Siong's move to severely escalate the punishment for drink driving, whithout addressing the other much more common root causes of Road Deaths in Malaysia, is pandering to the priorities of the Islamist Supremacist government that Wee Ka Siong is a collaborationist.
Other policy measures , coordinated by other Ministries include a ban on alcohol sales by many existing allowed business outlets.
Motorcyclists in Malaysia regularly regard stopping at Red Traffic lights as Optional, and usually get away scot free or just a tap on the finger.
That is a far more common cause of Road Deaths in Malaysia than Drink Driving.
KT so quick to claim credit for his beloved Wee KHAT Siong....ha ha ha...
DeleteCorrection:
The law that KHAT Siong introduced was actually already approved by cabinet and was to be tabled in parliament, until Sheraton Shake happened. But as usual Wee KHAT Siong made it sound like it was all his idea and hard work....to please PAS of course...ha ha ha...
QUOTE
Loke: Heavier penalties soon for reckless driving, DUI offences
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS and JOSEPH KAOS JR
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2020
PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has agreed to introduce stiffer punishment for offences related to reckless driving and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Road Transport Act would be reviewed and amended to increase the existing penalties for such offences.
"This matter received serious attention in today's (Jan 29) Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet agreed for the Transport Minister to review and amend the existing provisions and tighten laws concerning driving under the influence and reckless driving.
"We will be having discussions with stakeholders including the police and the Attorney General's Chambers to seek their views on enforcement and laws," said Loke at a press conference at his ministry here on Wednesday.
Loke said the amendments could be tabled in Parliament as early as the second sitting in June or July this year.
Among the provisions to be reviewed includes the prescribed limit of alcohol content in the driver's blood.
Loke said the current law permits up to 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.
"However, the international limit set by WHO (World Health Organisation) is 50mg in 100ml of blood ... we feel this needs to be reviewed," said Loke.
At present, those found driving intoxicated beyond the permissible amount can be jailed up to ten years and fined up to RM20,000.
Loke said Section 41 of the Road Transport Act concerning reckless and dangerous driving which causes fatal accidents, would also be reviewed.
"We need to re-look existing provisions and ensure those who are found guilty of reckless driving will receive more appropriate punishment," he said.
Currently, those who are found guilty for reckless driving and causes death can be jailed up to 10 years and fined a maximum of RM20,000.
They will also be banned from driving for at least three years.
While drafting the amendments, Loke said the ministry would also be boosting its campaign against drunk driving.
"We have instructed the Road Safety Department to enhance the "Don't Drink and Drive" campaign. Although this campaign has been around for awhile, it needs to be brought back to remind people not to drive while intoxicated," said Loke.
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so in your considered opinion, Malaysia should go light on drink driving
DeleteIn China, if a private car driver is found to have been drinking, through breathing test, he/she can be fined from max RMB2k (>20mg/100ml，<80mg/100ml) to max RMB5k (>80mg/100ml) & jail from 6months with driving lessen suspended for another 6months or 5yrs from date of judgement.
DeleteFor commercial vehicle, the fine is 15 days jail with fine RMB5k, while the commercial driving lessen suspends for 5yrs (>20mg/100ml，<80mg/100ml) or 10yrs (>80mg/100ml). Thereafter the offender can no longer hold any commercial driving lessen.
That's the reason why appinted-hire drivers r popular after business dinners.
Yes, yiu are right...if only his name is Zakir.
ReplyDeleteAnd we are told islam is a religion of peace and justice.