Kota Kinabalu: Three foreigners who have no valid travel documents were each sentenced to four months in jail and one whipping by the Sessions Court here Thursday for entering the country illegally.
Sessions Court Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim meted out the sentences to Moma Lapanji, 25, Hussin bin Nuriyasahtah, 25, and his brother Ardin bin Nuriyasahtah, 28 after they pleaded guilty to committing the offence.
Moma committed the offence at a night market in Sinsuran 1 while the two brothers – Hussin and Ardin - at a night market near the Ikan Todak figurine in the City centre on Dec 16, this year.
The unrepresented trio were charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 that provides a maximum fine of RM10,000 or a jail term up to five years, and a maximum of six strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
Inspector Navind Kumar Vijayan who appeared for the prosecution said the facts of the case as per charge for the three accused and requested for deterrent sentences.
During mitigation, Moma appealed for leniency as he has a wife and five children to feed and a father to look after because her mother passed away, while the two brothers who are single also pleaded for a lenient sentence as they are working to care for their father.
Noor Hafizah also ordered the trio to be referred to the Immigration Department for further action after serving their jail term.
