KOTA KINABALU: A Malaysian was ordered to pay RM64,000 or face 16 months in jail by the Sessions Court in Sandakan today after he pleaded guilty to ferrying six illegal immigrants to the east coast district.
Judge Suhaila Selag passed the sentence after the accused Nordin Misbah, 47, admitted to committing the offence in the waters off Sungai Batu 3 in Sandakan on April 24.
Nordin was ferrying the six, including two girls aged 11 and 12 who were without any personal documentation, in a boat when he was stopped by marine police in the area at about 9am.
He was fined a total of RM8,000, or two months’ jail in default, for each of the migrants he was transporting.
Nordin was charged under Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) which provides for a maximum fine of RM10,000 or not more than 12 months’ imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
ASP Tan Hiap Wah was the prosecuting officer.