MALAYSIAN WOMAN FACING DEATH IN CHINA FOR SMUGGLING DRUGS

Umi Azlim Mohamad Lazim, a 24 year old woman from Kelantan, was sentenced to death by the Guangzhou High Court in China for trafficking in 2,983 grammes of heroin. Her mother, Umi Slaia Ibrahim, 45, said the family who did not get any news from her for one year and were shocked to receive a letter dated July 12 from Wisma Putra that her daughter had been held in China since Jan 19. She was sentenced to death on May 15, and has two years from the date of conviction to lodge an appeal. "We did not hear from her for months and suddenly we received news that she was held in China and has been sentenced to death. This is so distressing. "I was told the drugs were received in Bangkok and to be given to a Nigerian known as 'UG' on her arrival at Shantou," Umi Slaia said at her home at Kampung Tok Kamis. The drugs were found hidden in her luggage on arrival at Shantou. Umi Azlim is a Universiti Malaysia Sabah graduate and said to have been working for a company selling foot massage equipment. Umi Slaia said that based on testimonies by Umi Azlim and other witnesses and letters produced in court, she was convinced that her daughter had been tricked by the Nigerian.