Umi Azlim’s father, Mohamad Lazim Jusoh, holding a newspaper report of his daughter whose life sentence in China for drug trafficking has been reduced to 12 years. — Picture by Fathil Asri
The life sentence imposed on the 26-year-old earlier this year has been reduced to 12 years' jail.
This is the second time her sentence had been commuted. She had originally been sentenced to death by a Chinese court.
"We were really happy and excited when we heard the news through a relative who was informed by a Malaysian embassy official.
"It came as a surprise to the family members, especially her twin sisters Umi Azmira and Umi Azuraiha.
"We are trying to confirm this with Wisma Putra," said Umi Azlim's father, Mohamad Lazim Jusoh, at his house in Taman Desa Anda here.
The 54-year-old mechanic said he submitted an appeal to the court in China during his visit to the country together with his late wife, Umi Slaia Ibrahim, and the coordinator of Azlim's assistance fund, Hu Pang Chaw, three years ago.
"We earlier thought that the life sentence was final. But now, it has changed and we are glad about it," said Lazim.
Clutching his daughter's picture that was published in a local newspaper recently, he said the only thing that the family regretted was his wife not being able to share the joy of the good news.
"I was also told that my daughter was not the only Malaysian being held in the prison for the offence, but there were also several others.
"As a father, I really hope parents will monitor their children's activities, especially those going on overseas trips.
"Let this be a lesson to us," said Lazim.
Umi Azlim, the eldest of six siblings, was caught trafficking in 2kg of heroin in her luggage when she arrived in Shantou, China, in 2007.
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