KUCHING: A 38-year-old man was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment by the High Court here today for transporting five undocumented Indonesian migrants last year.
Judge Datuk Faridz Gohim Abdullah imposed the sentence on Gilbert Yii Hang Long after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
The court ordered that the jail term take effect from the date of his arrest on Aug 7, 2025.
The Naza Citra vehicle used in the offence was also ordered to be forfeited to the government.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM250,000, or both.
According to the facts of the case, officers from the Immigration Department conducting Ops Serkap intercepted a white Naza Citra at about 5.55 pm on May 7, 2025, in front of a house at RPR Fasa 1, Batu Kawa.
Inspections found Gilbert driving the vehicle with five Indonesian nationals onboard, namely Iqbal, 24; Indra Wiguna, 28; Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, 28; Rido, 20; and Pedi, 38.
Investigations established that Gilbert was transporting the migrants.
Immigration records revealed that Rido had previously entered Malaysia through the Biawak entry point on Aug 14, 2024, but had overstayed.
He was subsequently charged under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, pleaded guilty and was sentenced.
The remaining four migrants; Iqbal, Indra Wiguna, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal and Pedi had no recent records of entering Malaysia legally.
They were charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, pleaded guilty and were sentenced accordingly.
In mitigation, the defence urged the court to impose a lighter sentence of 18 months, citing that the accused was a first-time offender, had shown genuine remorse and acknowledged the seriousness of the offence.
Counsel also told the court that Yii was the sole breadwinner of his family who earned a living through odd jobs, while his wife had recently started working as a shop assistant to support the household.
The defence further appealed for the vehicle to be returned to the owner.
However, the prosecution sought an order for the vehicle to be forfeited, informing the court that its registered owner had shown no interest in claiming ownership.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Kong Siew Chuo appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by counsel Stephen Beti.
