Kota Kinabalu: Two men were fined a total of RM25,000 for hiring illegal immigrants and allowing another to stay at a premises, respectively.
Looi Chan Wai, 39, and Tahir Raja Mohammad, 51, pleaded guilty separately before Sessions Court Judge Azreena Aziz, to the charges against them.
Looi was fined RM10,000 or two months’ jail for each illegal immigrant involved and he had hired two illegal foreigners in which he needed to pay a total fine of RM20,000.
He was found employing a Filipina and Indonesian aged 21 and 29, at 10.20pm on Jan 12 this year at the Hot Valley Karaoke Lounge in Beverly Hills Plaza, Penampang.
The offence, under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63, carries a jail term of up to a year or a fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000, or both, for each illegal immigrant involved.
Meanwhile, Tahir was fined RM5,000 or two months’ jail for each illegal immigrant involved and in his case, only one.
Tahir had allowed the 22-year-old Filipino without any identity document to stay at his premises at the Restoran Ria and Katering in Hong Pin Plaza, Kota Belud at 1.38pm on Jan 25 this year.
Tahir’s application to pay the fine by instalments was granted in which he must pay RM2,000 and the balance of RM3,000 on or June 17 this year.
During mitigation, both of them asked for leniency.
Prosecuting officers Abdul Lamit from the Immigration Department appeared for the prosecution.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.