Kota Kinabalu: Twenty-four illegal immigrants were jailed four months each for entering the State illegally.
They were Ridzwan Ben Ben, Nuriana Ben Ben, Al Dumil Al Makin, Asrie Halul, Habir Sajid, Haidir Sajid, Ismail Sani, Marjiya Sajit, Marma Kasim, Nasil Wahir, Sajid Karim, Telbela Nopisium, Paulus Pulang, Monica Monae Patris Pati,Jerald Sabiran, Hamji Alul, Tanasir Razak, Raisa Tanasir, Agil Tanasir, Mukmin Talil, Alsain Hasan, Najwa Idris, Amilin Bakking Isdalin and Ibrahim Abdul, aged 25 to 50.
All the accused pleaded guilty separately before Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain, to the charge against them.
The illegal immigrants were arrested in Kota Marudu, Keningau and Sepanggar, respectively for entering the State without any identification documents.
They were detained after failing to produce their identity documents during operations 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.
In mitigation, they pleaded for leniency and asked to be deported to their homeland as soon as possible.
The court ordered the illegal foreigners to serve the jail sentence from the date of their arrests.
After being released from prison they were ordered referred to the Immigration Department for deportation.
Prosecuting Officer Chin Tzee Mee prosecuted.
