KOTA KINABALU: A shop owner paid a hefty fine of RM20,000, in default, four months’ jail, imposed by the Immigration Court yesterday for hiring two foreigners without any work pass.
Sessions Court judge Azreena Aziz imposed the fine on Mohhamad Ahmad, 44, after he admitted to employing two foreign workers in a shop at Inanam Centre on July 23.
The unrepresented accused person was convicted under Section 55B (1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 which carries a fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000 for each employee, or a maximum jail of 12 months, or both, upon conviction.
Immigration Department prosecuting officers Shaiful Izuat Abd Shani and Norlyah Stoh prosecuted.
In a separate case, two men were convicted by the same court on separate charges of entering Sabah illegally.
Indonesian Igo Nabing, 25, was jailed for five months and ordered to be whipped once, while Filipino Ajim Hamid, 20, was handed down with a four-month jail term after they each pleaded guilty to their individual charges framed under Section 6 (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, and with whipping, upon conviction.
The duo were arrested at separate locations in Kinarut and Penampang between July 17 and 18.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Faisal Saleh, 24, was fined RM10,000, in default, four months’ jail, after he pleaded guilty to overstaying in the State.
The offence framed under Section 15 (1) ( c) of the same Act, is punishable by a jail term of up to five years, or a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
He was caught committing the offence at Lok Kawi on July 17.
Igo, Ajim and Faisal were also ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department for further action.
Deputy public prosecutor Wan Azwan Aiman Wan Fakruddin appeared for the prosecution.