KOTA KINABALU: Two foreign traders were each fined by the Sessions Court here for separate offences under the Immigration Act.
Mohamad Kasim Mohamad Yusof, 58, who is a MyKas (temporary resident card or green IC) holder was fined RM20,000, in default four months' jail, for hiring two illegal immigrants.
Meanwhile, Pakistani man Shah Alam Khan, 34, was fined RM15,000, in default six months' jail for letting three illegal immigrants stay in his premises.
Both pleaded guilty before Sessions judge Azreena Aziz.
In Kasim's case, he admitted to employing a woman and a man from the Philippines, both aged 22, at Afiq Rojak Corner in Taipan 28 in Inanam on Oct 20, at 1.25pm.
The offence under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63, punishable under Section 55B (1) of the same Act, provides a minimum fine of RM10,000 and not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for each worker employed, upon conviction.
Shah Alam, meanwhile, admitted to allowing a 34-year-old Pakistani man, and two Filipinas aged 19 and 29, to stay in his premises at Kedai Runcit Sonduou in Kepayan, Penampang on Sept 25, at 4pm.
Under Section 55E(1) of the Immigration Act, no occupier shall permit any illegal immigrant to enter or remain at any premises.
Those who contravene the Section shall be punished under Section 55E(2) of the same Act which provides a fine of between RM5,000 and RM30,000, or imprisonment of up to a year, or both, for each illegal immigrant involved, upon conviction.
Prosecuting Officer Zaifee Zaimin from the Immigration Department urged the court to impose an adequate sentence as such cases were serious and had been rampant.
Both accused who were unrepresented paid their fines.
