Contract worker gets jail, whipping for entering Sabah illegally

KOTA KINABALU: A contract worker was jailed for five months and given a stroke of the cane by the Immigration Court yesterday for entering the state illegally.

Judge Azreena Aziz imposed the sentence on Morsidi Amat, 40, after he pleaded guilty to a charge framed under Section 6 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

The indictment provides for a maximum fine of RM10,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both and with whipping, upon conviction.

In mitigation, Morsidi pleaded for a lesser sentence stating that he had five children under his care and he had been in Sabah for five years.

Azreena ordered the accused to be referred to the Immigration Department upon serving his sentence.

Meanwhile, a 34-yearold foreigner claimed trial to possessing fake IMM13 document.

Timhal Abu Bakar was charged under Section 56(1) of the same Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 or a jail term of up to five years, upon conviction.

He was alleged to have committed the offence on June 21 at around 12.30am at a market in Kota Kinabalu.

Sabrina objected to bail stating that the accused had no valid documents and the prosecution would be calling five witnesses.

The court fixed July 26 for case management and September 20 for trial.

The court also ordered the accused to be detained under Section 259 of the Criminal Court Procedure as bail was objected.