KUCHING: An Indonesian man was sentenced to two years in prison by the High Court here today for conveying eight undocumented Indonesian migrants in a vehicle in Lundu.
Risno Hamidan pleaded guilty before High Court Judge, Wong Siong Tung, to an offence under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Act 670).
The court sentenced Risno to two years’ imprisonment from the date of conviction.
The court also ordered the vehicle used in the offence, a Perodua Alza, to be forfeited to its rightful owner.
The offence was committed at about 10:05 am on April 2 at the roadside near Lorong Opek 8, Jalan Biawak, Lundu.
Based on the facts of the case, the complainant, who was the arresting officer, and his team were conducting ‘Ops Serkap’ when they spotted the brown Perodua Alza at the location.
The team stopped and inspected the vehicle, which was driven by Risno and found to be carrying eight individuals suspected to be Indonesian citizens.
They were identified as Hefni, 58; Untung, 32; Jumadi, 31; Sanusi, 44; Xavier Fedelis, 17; Mirna, 33; Melidia, 36; and Etriana, 37.
Investigations found that Risno was the driver who conveyed the migrants.
Checks with the Immigration Department of Malaysia also found no recent records of entry into Malaysia for the eight individuals.
Seven of the migrants – Hefni, Untung, Jumadi, Sanusi, Mirna, Melidia and Etriana – were subsequently charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
They pleaded guilty to the respective charges and were sentenced accordingly.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Kong Siew Chuo, appeared for the prosecution. Risno was unrepresented.
