Brunei national fined RM10,000 for overstay

KOTA KINABALU: A 23-year-old man was slapped with a RM10,000 fine, in default, five months’ jail for overstaying in Sabah.

Sessions Court judge Azreena Aziz imposed the sentence on a Brunei national, Mohammad Saidina Ali, after he admitted to the offence, yesterday.

Mohammad Saidina was apprehended at an unnumbered house at Kampung Ulu, Sipitang, recently.

He had committed an offence under Section 15 (1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which provides for a maximum fine of RM10,000 or a jail term of up to five years or both, upon conviction.

Based on the facts of the case, which was submitted to the court by prosecuting officer Assistant Superintendent of Police Sabrina Jinius, Mohammad’s passport had expired on July 14, 2017.

In mitigation, Albaija, who was not represented, prayed for lenient sentence and requested to be deported back to his country as soon as possible.

Meanwhile at the same court, nine men aged between 20 and 52, were also jailed between four and five months for entering the state without valid documents.

They pleaded guilty before the judge to each of their charge under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

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

Seven of the men were also ordered to be whipped once while the others were spared due to their age, and all of them will be referred to the Immigration Department after serving their sentence for their biometrics data to be recorded before deportation.