KOTA KINABALU: Twelve foreigners, including a single mother, were jailed between four and five months by the Sessions Court here yesterday for entering the State illegally.
Judge Azreena Aziz imposed the sentence on all accused aged between 18 and 52, after they pleaded guilty 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 to both and also liable to whipping of not more than six strokes, upon conviction.
In pleading for a lenient sentence, the foreigners told the court that they had stayed in the state between a year and seven years.
They also told the court that they previously worked as contract workers, labourers and fishermen while the woman, who is a single mother, was a housewife.
Some of the men were also ordered by the court to be whipped once while others were spared due to their age and gender.