A local woman found herself on the wrong side of the law after being convicted of stealing security stickers from the Department of Immigration and National Registration, claiming that she was ‘hypnotised’ into committing the crime. The Magistrates’ Court sentenced 38-year-old Khadizah binti Haji Hidop to one year in prison following trial.
Prosecutor Ruzana Adnan revealed that between August and October 2022, Khadizah, while working as a cleaner at the department, was approached by an individual offering money in exchange for security stickers. Seizing the opportunity, she took a roll of stickers from an unlocked drawer at the immigration counter. The stolen stickers were later discovered by authorities on June 7, 2023.
In court, Khadizah claimed that she was hypnotised into committing the crime, blaming the influence of an individual named Shahren. She also cited financial struggles as a contributing factor. However, Magistrate Abdul ‘Azim Othman dismissed her defence, calling her version of events inconsistent and lacking credibility.
The court found the prosecution’s case solid, proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Khadizah committed the theft. Magistrate Abdul ‘Azim emphasised the seriousness of the crime, noting that it compromised security measures. – Fadley Faisal
