Kota Kinabalu: Eight illegal immigrants were jailed four months each for entering the State without documents.
They were Akbar Sharil, Hendrikus Tobing, Putri khatijah Parti Rahim, Asgar Chandar, Sharil Paman, Vilma S. Yasin, Amir Hasan and Fredy aged 22 and 51.
Comprising Indonesians and Filipinos, they pleaded guilty separately before Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain, to entering the State without their valid documents.
The offence under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 provides for a jail term of up to five years, or a fine of up to RM10,000, and whipping, on conviction.
The illegal immigrants were arrested by the Immigration personnel who carried out operations in Kota Marudu, Kundasang and Telupid in March and April this year.
During the operations, they failed to produce their identification documents to the Immigration personnel.
In mitigation, they asked for a light sentence to be imposed on them saying that they have family to look after.
The illegals also asked to be deported to their respective hometowns as soon as possible.
The court ordered the illegal immigrants to serve the jail sentence from the date of their arrests.
After completing their jail sentence, all of the illegals were ordered referred to the Immigration Department for further action.
Prosecuting Officer Chin Tze Mee from the Immigration Department appeared for the prosecution.
