KOTA KINABALU: Forty Chinese nationals arrested in connection with a Macau scam syndicate here were charged with illegal entry and overstaying in Sabah today.
This brings the total of Chinese nationals charged to 72, after 32 were charged with similar offences yesterday.
They were part of the 80 Chinese nationals arrested by police on Oct 23 for alleged involvement in the syndicate, which was said to have duped a local professional here of RM1.4 million.
Those charged today, aged between 17 and 33, were produced before Sessions Court judge Azreena Aziz.
Thirty-two of them pleaded guilty to entering the state without any travel documents and were fined RM4,000 or four months’ jail each.
They had committed the offence 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, or both, and whipping, on conviction.
The Chinese nationals were hauled up by police at two different locations – at Lido Avenue and D’Junction in Penampang – between 1pm and 5.35pm on Oct 23.
The remaining eight of the 40 accused today were charged with overstaying in Sabah after their social visit passes had expired.
One of them, a 17-year-old boy, was released after the court agreed to withdraw the charge against him as he is a minor.
The rest were fined RM10,000 or five months’ jail each.
Mohd Al-Hafidz Lokman, who represented the Chinese nationals, had in his mitigation requested the court for a minimum fine, citing his clients were first-time offenders.
Al-Hafidz also informed the court that his clients were remorseful and had admitted to the charges against them.
Deputy public prosecutor Hurman Husain, however, urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence.
The court ordered the Chinese nationals to be referred to the Immigration Department for deportation after they have paid thei fines or served their sentences. - FMT
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