By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Jan 12: The High Court here has reduced the charges against two men after they allegedly allowed three Indonesians to enter the country through Sarawak’s borders.
The charges against the two men were reduced from Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM 2007) to Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Nicholas Ng and Lai Sie Ted were initially charged under Section 26A of the ATIPSOM 2007 but were discharged and acquitted of the charge on Dec 9.
Yesterday, the prosecution led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Md Syafique Md Hilmie reduced the charge to Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and both accused persons pleaded guilty to the charge framed.
High Court Judge Azhahari Kamal Ramli sentenced Nicholas Ng to a fine of RM15,000 or in default to 9 months’ imprisonment and fined Lai Sie Ted to RM10,000 or in default to 6 months imprisonment.
Justice Azhahari also ordered the vehicles to be forfeited.
Ng and Lai allegedly allowed three Indonesians, aged between 20-year-old and 48-year-old, at Jalan Serian Kuching, near a junction at Jalan Ensengei, at about 12.30am on Jan 24, 2021 to enter the country.
DPP Md Syafique Md Hilmie prosecuted while Nicholas Ng was represented by counsels Shankar Ram Asnani, Russell Lim and Yu Ying Ying, Lai Sie Ted was represented by counsels Simon Siah and Moh Ung Kieng. — DayakDaily
