Kota Kinabalu: The Sessions Court fixed July 22 for further mention the case involving a Germany charged with two counts of entering the State illegally and obstructing an immigration officer from carrying out his duties as an investigating officer.
The date was set for Kuecuekboga Suleyman, who pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
On the same day also had been set to serve all the relevant documents which would be used during the hearing.
On the first count, Kuecuekboga allegedly entered Sabah without a valid travel document at the Immigration Department premises along Jalan UMS here at 8.50am on April 27 this year.
He was charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which carries a fine, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, and whipping upon conviction.
On the second count, he was accused of obstructing the immigration officer from recording his statement at the Immigration Department premises here at 4.30pm on May 5.
The offence falls under Section 56(g)(1) and is punishable under Section 56(1)(aa) of the same Act, which provides for a fine or imprisonment of up to five years upon conviction.
In previous proceedings, the court was unable to record Kuecuekboga’s plea as he insisted that he did not understand the charges against him.
A German interpreter from the embassy was present to assist the court. Despite several explanations of the charges in German by the interpreter, Kuecuekboga maintained that he did not understand them.
Pending the disposal of the case, Kuecuekboga was ordered to remain in remand.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Syarifah Nursyuhada Tuan Mamat appeared for the prosecution while Kuecuekboga was not represented.
