China woman jailed for prostitution

KOTA KINABALU: A China woman was convicted yesterday on two charges of soliciting for the purpose of prostitution and violating her social visit pass by working as a masseuse.

In the Magistrate's Court here, Pang Juming, 30, was sentenced to seven months' jail for being involved in the vice activity at a reflexology premises in Kampung Air here on April 6.

Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie imposed the sentence after the accused pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 372B of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to one year or a fine or both, upon conviction.

Prosecuting officer Inspector Suzie @ Stephanie Kupit told the court that during a raid by the police at the premises, they found several used condoms and arrested the accused for further investigation.

Meanwhile, in the Immigration Court here, the accused was fined RM600, in default, two months' jail for violating her social visit pass by working as a masseuse.

Prosecuting officer Inspector Lim Swee Beng said that the accused was arrested on the same day at the same place.

The offence was under Section 39 (b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 which is punishable by a fine of up to RM1,000 or a maximum jail term of six months or both, upon conviction.

The accused's immigration case was heard before judge Azreena Aziz.

Pang was also ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department for further action after serving her jail term.

In a separate case, a Thai woman claimed trial to a charge of doing an immoral job in order to earn income by looking for customers in a hotel room.

Pannaporn Chanton, 31, was accused of providing sex services to her customers at the hotel here at 12.55 am on April 6.

The court fixed May 24 for her case management and she was denied bail as she had no valid travel document.