Kota Kinabalu: Twenty-five people were jailed four months each for entering the State illegally.
They comprised Indonesians and Filipinos who pleaded guilty separately before Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain.
The illegal immigrants were arrested in Keningau, Papar, Menumbok, Kudat, Beaufort and Sipitang in January this year after failing to produce their identification documents during an operation carried out by the Immigration Department.
They were charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act, 1959/63 which provides for a jail term of up to five years or a fine of up to RM10,000, on conviction.
During mitigation, all the illegal immigrants asked for leniency and to be returned to their hometowns as soon as possible and that the sentence to be served from the date of their arrests.
All of them were ordered to serve the jail sentence from the date of their arrest.
Meanwhile, three people were jailed 12 months each for overstaying in the State for 12 and 14 years after their documents expired.
The trio were arrested in Keningau during an operation carried out in Keningau, recently.
Investigation revealed that the trio’s social visit passes had expired for some time but they continued staying in the State.
The offence, under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, carries a fine of at least RM10,000, or a jail term of up to five years, or both, on conviction.
After completing their jail sentence, the illegal immigrants and trio were ordered referred to the Immigration Department for further action.
Immigration Department Prosecuting Officer Aizah Mimin prosecuted the case.
