BALIK PULAU: The Sessions Court here today sentenced an Indonesian labourer to 10 months' jail for possessing and using a fake Malaysian permanent resident (MyPR) identification two days ago.
Judge Ahzal Fariz Ahmad Khairuddin also fined Suardi, 49, RM10,000, after he pleaded guilty to the offence.
If he fails to pay the fine, he will have to spend 12 months in jail.
"The court finds you guilty of the offence and therefore convicts you," Ahzal said when handing down the sentence.
Suardi had pleaded guilty to possessing and using the fake (MyPR) issued to Matnasan Dimar as his own at a factory in Bayan Lepas between 8.30am and 2pm on Wednesday (Nov 8).
He was charged under Rule 25(1)(e) of the National Registration Regulations 1990, which carries a jail term of up to three years or a fine of up to RM20,000 or both, upon conviction.
In mitigation, Suardi pleaded for a minimum fine as he has a wife and four children in Indonesia.
National Registration Department prosecuting officer Mohd Samsul Ariffin Ahmad Zawawi pressed for a maximum sentence, saying the offence could affect public interest.
"It can also affect national security.
"We pressed for a maximum sentence to serve as a lesson to the accused, so as not to repeat the same mistake in future," he added.
Samsul also told the court that Suardi had admitted to purchasing the MyPR in Kuala Lumpur and had been using it since 2000.
He had purchased the MyPR to enable him to obtain the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) authorisation card to enable him to work.
"Our checks also showed that he is part of the Labour Recalibration Programme (RTK).
"His passport had been issued by the Indonesian Consulate in Kuala Lumpur, and had just been renewed. It expires in Oct 2033.
