KUCHING: A 70-year-old employer was fined RM10,000 in default three months’ jail by the Sessions Court here today after she pleaded guilty to employing an undocumented Indonesian worker at her premises.
Judge Musli Ab Hamid meted out the sentence on Sim See Chieng after she admitted to the charge under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amendment 2002), which is punishable under Section 55B(1) of the same Act.
The offence carries a penalty of a fine up to RM50,000, or imprisonment up to 12 months, or both, for each such employee.
According to the charge, Sim employed a woman who was neither a citizen nor a holder of a valid entry permit or work pass from April 6, 2023 until Jan 28 of this year at a house located at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce here.
Case fact revealed that police came across the woman, identified as Laila, 20, from Singkawang, Indonesia, during a raid conducted on Jan 28 at about 4pm by a team of the Sarawak police headquarters Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Investigations revealed that she had allegedly worked at a noodles factory owned by the accused, for approximately two years without receiving any salary.
Laila was provided with food and accommodation throughout the period.
It was also revealed that her passport was kept by the accused and she was not allowed to use a mobile phone.
She further alleged that she had been assaulted during her employment.
Sim later surrendered herself at the Tabuan Jaya police station and was arrested in connection with the case.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ruvinasini Pandian prosecuted, while the accused was represented by Datuk Shankar Ram.
