KOTA KINABALU: The Sessions Court here yesterday jailed 23 foreigners, including five women, between four and five months for entering the state illegally.
Judge Azreena Aziz imposed the sentence on the foreigners aged between 18 and 50, after they pleaded guilty to each of their charges.
The indictment carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 or a jail term of up to five years or both, and are also liable to whipping of not more than six strokes, upon conviction.
All the foreigners, some of whom were contract workers and labourers, were caught during separate operations in Papar, Penampang, Ranau, Keningau and here, recently.
The court also ordered 14 men to be whipped once while others were spared due to their age and gender.
Prosecuting officer Inspector Lim Swee Beng prosecuted.