Kota Kinabalu: A Filipino who had stayed in the State for seven years after his Temporary Work Visit Pass had expired, was jailed 12 months.
Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain meted out the sentence to Kambal Jainal Hadjirol who pleaded guilty to the charge against him.
Kambal was arrested at 8.50pm on Feb 18 this year at the Selera Bangkok Sembulan Riverside Sdn Bhd in food court Sadong Jaya, in Jalan Karamunsing, here.
During the arrest, his pass had expired on Jan 5, 2018 but was still staying in the State and overstayed for seven years, one month and 13 days.
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.
Another Filipina, Wasam Sia Langkaliwu @ Samsia was sentenced to six months’ jail for overstaying in the State for four months and 14 days.
She was detained on Feb 18 this year at 10.45pm at a rented room in Jalan Pintas, Penampang after her Special pass had expired on Oct 4, 2024.
Kambal and Wasam were ordered to serve the jail sentence from the date of their arrests.
The court heard that Kambal and Wasam were arrested separately during an operation carried out by the Immigration Department at the said areas.
During mitigation, they asked for leniency and to be deported to their hometown as soon as possible.
They also requested for the jail sentence to be served from the date of their arrests.
However, Immigration Department Prosecuting Officer Yolanda Ismail Uvaraj urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence.
After serving the jail sentence, Kambal and Wasam were ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department for further action.
