Kota Kinabalu: A Pakistani and a local were fined a total of RM25,000 for allowing illegal immigrants to stay in their premises, respectively.
Pakistani Wakeel Khan, 45, and Paryoto Karto, 65, pleaded guilty separately before Sessions Court Judge Azreena Aziz, Thursday.
Wakeel was found permitting three illegal immigrants aged between 22 and 55, to stay in his premises at Azra Food Marketing in Kg Likas Jalan Haiwan, here at 3pm on Sept 21, 2021.
He was fined RM5,000 in default two months’ jail for each illegal immigrant involved in which he was fined a total of RM15,000.
Meanwhile, Paryoto had allowed two illegal immigrants, aged 20 and 21, both Filipinos, to stay in his premises at Restoran Yakeen in Karamunsing Warehouse, near here, at 1.55pm on May 25, 2021.
Paryoto was fined RM5,000 or two months’ jail for each illegal immigrant involved.
The duo had committed the offence under Section 55E(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 which carries a jail term of up to a year, or a fine of between RM5,000 and RM30,000, or both, for each illegal immigrant involved.
The duo paid the fines. During mitigation, they asked for leniency.
However, Prosecuting Officer Abdul Lamit Abdul Manan from the Immigration Department urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence to be imposed on them.
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