“I drink to celebrate a friend” – Sabah Civil Servant Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail & RM10k Fine for Drunk Driving

A 61-year-old civil servant in Tawau, Sabah, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and an RM10,000 fine by the Tawau Magistrate Court yesterday (23 April) for driving under the influence of alcohol on 9 February 2025.

The accused, Aidy Matamin, a Ketua Anak Negeri or Native Chief of the Tawau Native Court, pleaded guilty to the offence when the charge was read in front of Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum.

A Sabah civil servant pleaded guilty to drunk driving and claimed he only consumed alcohol to celebrate his friend

As reported by Harian Metro, the charge sheet detailed that the accused had driven under the influence of alcohol at around 12.20pm on 9 February 2025, with the alcohol level in his blood twice the legal limit.

During the trial, the accused, who was not represented by a lawyer, pleaded for a lighter sentence as he had repented and regretted committing the offence. 

The accused, who has 2 children, added that he’s not a heavy drinker but only consumed alcohol to celebrate his friend from West Malaysia. The accused also claimed that he had taken paracetamol and a flu medicine a day prior to the incident, as he was not feeling too good.

However, the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Joan Lee, urged the court to mete out a heavy punishment to the accused as a lesson to him and for public interest.

The prosecutor stressed that while the incident didn’t involve any loss of life or injuries, it was still a serious offence.

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The accused was sentenced to 30 days in jail, an RM10,000 fine, and is barred from holding or obtaining a driving license for 2 years

The charge was framed under Section 45A(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which prescribes a punishment of up to 2 years and a fine between RM10,000 and RM30,000 if convicted.

Moreover, Section 45A(3) prescribes that a person convicted under Section 45A will be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of not less than 2 years from the date of the conviction.

Accordingly, on top of the RM10,000 fine and 30 days of imprisonment, the Magistrate Court barred him from holding or obtaining a driving license for 2 years. He will also be jailed for 30 days if he fails to pay the RM10,000 fine.

The accused failed to pay the fine.

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So, what do you guys think of this case? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. 

Also read: Drunk 25yo BMW Driver Pleads Not Guilty to Killing Man in Johor Crash, Seeks Lower Bail as He Has Parents to Care For