23-04-2025
Sabah native chief jailed, fined for driving under influence
TAWAU: A state civil servant was sentenced to 30 days' jail and fined RM10,000 by the magistrate's court here today after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb 9.
The accused, Aidy Matamin, 61, who holds the position of a native chief at the Tawau Native Court, pleaded guilty after the court interpreter read out the charge before magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum.
The court also ordered that he be disqualified from holding a driving licence for two years and imposed a 30-day jail sentence should he fail to pay the fine. The accused failed to pay the fine.
According to the charge, Aidy was caught driving with an alcohol level double the legal limit at the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division of the Tawau district police headquarters at 12.20pm.
He initially faced a fine of between RM10,000 and RM30,000, imprisonment of up to two years upon conviction.
Earlier, Aidy, who was not represented, appealed for leniency. The father of two said he was not a regular drinker and had consumed alcohol only while entertaining a friend from Peninsular Malaysia.
He also claimed that he had taken paracetamol and cold medication in the afternoon before the incident as he was feeling unwell.
However, prosecuting officer Assistant Superintendent Joan Lee requested the court to impose a heavier sentence to serve as a deterrent.
"Although the incident did not result in any injuries or fatalities, driving under the influence is a serious offence that poses a significant risk of severe accidents," said Lee.
