Malaysia’s Federal Court reinstated the trafficking convictions and 30-year prison sentences of two men who had been released earlier in 2026, ruling on 28 September that the prosecution had proved they trafficked 264.36 g of cannabis.[1][2] The bench was chaired by Justice Rhodzariah Bujang, with Justices Lee Swee Seng and Ravinthran Paramaguru.[1][2]
Azril Azhar Ahmad, 50, a Grab driver, and Zulfattar Ridzuan, 44, a businessman, were arrested after police found the cannabis in a car at an industrial park in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, on 26 September 2020.[2] The High Court sentenced them to 30 years on 20 October 2023, with the term backdated to the arrest.[1][2]
In May 2025 the Court of Appeal substituted possession for trafficking and imposed eight years; the two were freed on 23 February 2026 after serving the reduced term.[1][2] Justice Lee said the appellate court had misdirected itself: the amount was only marginally above the 200 g threshold that presumes trafficking, but there was overwhelming evidence of dealing, including a weighing scale, plastic packets, a penknife and grinders in the car.[1][2]
Zulfattar must also serve 12 strokes of the rotan, while Azril is exempt because he is 50.[1][2] Both were in court for the ruling.[1][2]