Justice Arik Sanusi Yeop Johari handed down the sentence against Myo Oolwin after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

The maximum jail sentence for the offence is 20 years.

Oolwin was convicted of trafficking three Myanmar men with no valid documents at a food court in Kuala Perlis on Nov 6, 2022.

In handing down the sentence, the court said human trafficking was a serious offence and that a custodial sentence should be imposed to serve as a deterrent.

“(The number of) human trafficking and migrant smuggling activities is increasing here.

“An eight-year jail sentence is appropriate,” Arik said.

The judge said Oolwin’s admission of guilt had saved the court time and cost, and that he should receive a reduction of one-fourth to a third of the maximum 20-year sentence.