Kota Kinabalu: A 42-year-old contractor was charged with allowing 15 illegal immigrants to stay in his premises.
Danny Tan Eng Hock pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court Judge Azreena Aziz, Thursday.
He is accused of permitting the 15 Filipinos aged between 16 and 50, who did not have documents, to enter the construction site of the proposed one unit double storey link retreat house at the Mount Kinabalu Golf Club.
The offence allegedly took place at 9.45am on Dec 9, 2021 at Pinosuk Plateau Kundasang, Ranau.
Tan was charged 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 court set Aug 25 for case management and May 12, next year for hearing the case.
Pending the date, Tan was released on bail of RM20,000 with RM10,000 deposited in two local sureties.
Earlier, Prosecuting Officers Abdul Lamit from the Immigration Department, proposed bail of RM30,000 and two local sureties.
However, counsel Lim Chun Yuan, who defended Tan, asked for the bail to be reduced saying that it should not be excessive as Tan has five children to look after.
The court was informed that the prosecution would call three witnesses during the hearing.
* 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.