TAWAU: Three local men were separately charged in the High Court and Magistrate’s Court here on Friday for smuggling and transporting Filipino and Indonesian migrants in unrelated cases.
Azmar Edward Dean Omar, 48, and Mohammad Shariff Marican, 45, pleaded not guilty separately before Judicial Commissioner Steve Ritikos when their cases were mentioned at the High Court.
The duo is accused of smuggling eight Filipino women aged between 21 and 31 from Sungai Bilis, Kg Sungai Bilis to the parking area in front of Lahad Datu Hospital between about 11.30pm on Aug 9, 2025, and 3am on Aug 10, 2025.
They were charged under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
The court fixed April 17 for further mention, and the duo was remanded pending that date.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ng Juhn Tao appeared for the prosecution, while Azmar was represented by counsel Jakariya Ab Jalil, and Mohammad Shariff appeared unrepresented.
Meanwhile, in the Magistrate’s Court, Japar Baraking, 68, was charged with transporting seven Indonesian migrants, comprising two adult men, two adult women, and three children aged between three and 52.
Japar, believed to be the driver and owner of the vehicle used in the alleged offence, is accused of committing the offence in front of the Tawau Ferry Terminal along Jalan Pasar at about 11am on Feb 27, 2026.
No plea was recorded after the charge was read before Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum, who set April 9 for further mention at the Sessions Court here. Japar, a local, was not offered bail as the offence is non-bailable.
He was charged under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which provides for a sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM250,000, or both, upon conviction.
Tawau District Police ASP Jeffrey Kadison prosecuted the case, while Japar was represented by Jhesseny P. Kang.
