Kota Kinabalu: Ten Vietnamese women were fined by the Sessions Court here for various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
All ten pleaded guilty separately before Judge Hurman Hussain after the charges were read to them through a Vietnamese interpreter.
Five of the women were each fined RM4,000, in default four months’ jail, for entering Malaysia without valid travel documents.
They were charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for entering Malaysia without valid passes.
The offence carries a fine of up to RM10,000, a jail term of up to five years, or both. Offenders may also be liable to whipping of up to six strokes.
Three other women were each fined RM10,000, in default six months’ jail, for remaining in Malaysia after their travel documents had expired.
The remaining two were each fined RM10,000, in default six months’ jail, for overstaying in Malaysia. They were also fined an additional RM4,000, in default four months’ jail, for having irregular social visit passes.
All ten were ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department after paying their fines or serving their jail terms for further action.
Immigration Department Prosecuting Officer Mohd Hairul Bona appeared for the prosecution.
