Kota Kinabalu: A 50-year-old man charged with giving fraud travel documents to two Filipinas was granted bail by the High Court, Friday.
Judge Datuk Ismail Brahim in delivering his ruling held that the accused, Chuk Tai Bo, should be granted bail after considering the arguments of both his counsel and the prosecution.
Ismail held that bail was granted before to several cases of similar offences, adding that he also took into consideration that Chuk is suffering from several medical conditions, his age and not a flight risk.
Chuk was allowed bail of RM20,000 fully deposited in two sureties and to also surrender his international passport.
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On June 27, Chuk pleaded not guilty to giving two fake passports to the two Filipinas for the purpose of facilitating migrant smuggling at 6am on Nov 23, 2022 in a house at Kg Nosoob Baru, Penampang.
The charge framed under Section 26E of the Anti-Trafficking-In Persons and Smuggling of the Migrants Act 2007 carries a jail term of between seven years and 15 years, and liability of a fine between RM50,000 and RM500,000 or both, on conviction.
Chuk was represented by counsel Luke Ressa Balang while Deputy Public Prosecutor Rustam Sanip appeared for the prosecution.
Meanwhile, a 36-year-old man who fraudulently had RM3,550 deposited in his bank account last year, was fined RM100 or a day’s jail by the Magistrate’s Court.
Andri Daniel pleaded guilty before Magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun to having the money belonging to Christine Joseph in his Public Bank account in which he failed to give a satisfactory explanation on how he obtained them on Oct 26, 2022 in Putatan.
The offence framed under Section 22A (1) of the Minor Offences Ordinance, provides a fine of up to RM100 or up to three months’ jail or both, on conviction. Inspector Albert Basiri prosecuted.
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