Kota Kinabalu: A 34-year-old restaurant owner was fined a total RM15,000 for allowing three illegal immigrants to stay in his premises.
Shihan Mohd Salim pleaded guilty to the charge against him before Sessions Court Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim, on Tuesday.
Shihan was found permitting the three Filipinos aged 21 and 38, without valid documents at 4.10pm on Aug 7, 2023 at a worker’s room in Grace Square, Jalan Pantai Sembulan, here.
The offence under Section 55E(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 which carries a jail term of up to a year, or a fine of between RM5,000 and RM30,000, or both, for each illegal immigrant involved.
The court ordered Shihan to pay fine RM5,000 or 60 days’ jail for each illegal immigrants involved.
During mitigation, Shihan asked for leniency as he had pleaded guilty to the charge against him.
However, Prosecuting Officer Abu Sopian from the Immigration Department urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence as to give a lesson not only to Shihan but public at large.
The court heard that the three Filipinos were arrested during the Ops Sapu after they were found in the premises.
Further investigation revealed that the premises was under Shihan’s control and that he was further detained for allowing the illegal immigrants to stay in the premises.
