KUCHING: A 19-year-old Indonesian woman was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by the Sessions Court here today after she pleaded guilty to entering Malaysia without valid travel documents.
Sessions Court Judge Iris Awen Jon handed down the sentence against Agis Adelia, ordering that the jail term take effect from March 11, the date of her arrest.
The court also ordered that she be referred to the Department of Immigration Malaysia upon completion of her sentence.
According to the charge, the accused was found without any valid pass or travel document at a cafe near Jalan Stutong, at about 11.50 am on March 11.
She was charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, punishable under Section 6(3) of the same Act, which provides for a fine of up to RM10,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, and whipping of not more than six strokes upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, a police team from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kuching Police Headquarters (IPD) apprehended the accused during an operation at the premises, where she was initially suspected of involvement in online gambling activities.
Upon further checking, she failed to produce any valid identification or travel documents.
Further verification with the Department of Immigration Malaysia confirmed that she had no legal record of entry into Malaysia and was staying in the country unlawfully.
During mitigation, the unrepresented accused said she had been working at the shop where she was arrested and had been in Malaysia for about five months after being brought in by an agent.
She also informed the court that she did not possess a passport and expressed her intention to return to Indonesia.
Additionally, she cited health concerns, stating that she had a stomach condition and had initially planned to undergo surgery before coming to Malaysia.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Chuah Kai Seng.
