KOTA KINABALU: Fifty-one foreigners, including six women, were jailed between three and four months by the Sessions Court here yesterday for entering Sabah without valid travel documents.
All of the accused, aged between 18 and 56, pleaded guilty before judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamed to each of their charges 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 also liable to whipping, upon conviction.
They were arrested during recent operations in Penampang, Papar, Kota Belud and here for entering the state illegally.
The court also ordered some of the men to be whipped between one and three strokes of the cane while others were spared due to their age and gender.
All the accused were also ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department after serving their sentences.
Meanwhile, a Pakistani man was charged at the same court with violating the conditions on his passport.
Ihtisham Ullah, who was brought before judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamed, was charged under Section 39 (b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which carries a jail term of up to six months’ jail or a fine or both.
The court fixed June 6 this year for mention, pending a Pakistani interpreter, and ordered Ihtisham to be remanded under Section 259 of the Criminal Procedure Code, pending disposal of the case.
Prosecuting officer Inspector Lim Swee Beng prosecuted while counsel Azhier Farhan Arisin represented Ihtisham.