KUCHING: A 32-year-old Indonesian woman will serve four months in prison after the Sessions Court here today ruled she had overstayed in Malaysia.
Judge Iris Awen Jon handed down the sentence against Jayanti Lestari, who pleaded guilty, ordering that the jail term take effect from February 20 – the date of her arrest.
The court further ordered that the accused be referred to the Department of Immigration Malaysia upon completing her sentence.
Jayanti was charged with remaining in Malaysia after her Social Visit Pass expired on May 9, 2025.
The offence, committed on February 20 this year at a café in Padawan, falls under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, punishable under Section 15(4) of the same Act.
Under the law, the offence carries a penalty of a fine of not less than RM10,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, a police team from Batu Kawa conducted an inspection at a café in Jalan Singai/Matang at about 1.40 pm on February 20.
The accused, who was seated at the counter, admitted to working at the premises but failed to produce any valid travel documents during inspection.
Further checks uncovered a mobile phone believed to contain elements of online gambling activities.
Police also found various cigarettes suspected to be without customs duty at the premises.
Following the discovery, the accused was arrested and brought to the Batu Kawa Police Station for further investigation under the Immigration Act, Open House Gambling Act 1953, and Customs Act.
Investigations revealed that Jayanti had entered Malaysia on April 9, 2025, and had overstayed beyond the permitted period.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Ruvinasani Pandian, prosecuted the case while Jayanti was unrepresented.
