Kota Kinabalu: A Filipino man was jailed a year for remaining in Sabah after his travel document had expired.
Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain handed down the sentence after the man pleaded guilty to the charge.
The Filipino was arrested in Sipitang during a recent operation by the Immigration Department. He produced travel documents that had been expired for several years.
He was charged under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), which provides for a fine of up to RM10,000, or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
During mitigation, the man requested leniency, stating that he wished to return to his hometown as soon as possible and that his jail term be counted from the date of arrest.
The court agreed, ordering the sentence to commence from his arrest date.
In a separate case, two other Filipinos were each sentenced to four months’ jail for entering Sabah without proper documents.
The duo, also arrested in Sipitang during an Immigration Department operation, failed to produce any identification.
After completing their respective sentences, all three individuals will be referred to the Immigration Department for deportation.
Prosecuting Officer Baxter Junior Goh from the Immigration Department appeared for the prosecution.
