Kota Kinabalu: Fifty-seven China nationals were fined a total of RM558,000 Friday for overstaying in the State and entering the country without valid travel documents.
They comprise 54 men and three women, aged between 25 and 48, who pleaded guilty separately before Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain to the charges against them read out in Mandarin.
The court imposed RM10,000 or six months’ jail on each of 55 of them who had stayed in the State after their Social Visit Passes had expired.
According to the charges, the 55 had overstayed between one and 35 days.
They committed the offence under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, punishable under Section 15(4) of the same Act, which provides for a fine of up to RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, on conviction.
The remaining two male accused were each ordered to pay RM4,000 fine or four months in prison for entering the State illegally. The duo, who were charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act, failed to produce any identification documents during a raid by police.
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All 57 were detained during an operation at a unit in Sutera Avenue along Jalan Coastal Highway, Sembulan, at noon on April 23, this year.
During mitigation, counsels Hairul Vyron Othman and Luke Ressa Balang, appearing for the 57, requested the court to impose a lenient sentence, saying their clients had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, committed no violent offence, expressed remorse and saved the court’s time and costs.
The defence also informed the court that all of them intended to return to China at their own expenses.
However, Prosecuting Officer Inspector Deanivo Sittin sought a deterrent sentence and asked the court to refer the 57 to the Immigration Department after the disposal of the case.
After paying their fines or serving jail sentences, the 57 were ordered referred to the Immigration Department for further action.
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