PASIR MAS: An agent was charged at the Sessions Court here today with harbouring seven undocumented migrants and possessing six passports belonging to other people without lawful authority in Tumpat on Oct 14.
Chua Kee Lin, 40, pleaded not guilty to both charges before judge Zulkpli Abdullah.
He was charged with harbouring seven Indonesian migrants by allowing them to remain in a Nissan Serena at a road junction near Kampung Pauh Ganja, Pasir Pekan, Tumpat, at 8.25am on Oct 14.
The charge was framed under Section 55E(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Chua also claimed trial to possessing six passports belonging to other people without lawful authority at Kampung Kok Seraya, Tumpat, at 9.05am on the same day.
He was charged under Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966.
Under Section 55E(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, the offence carries a fine of between RM5,000 and RM30,000, or jail for up to 12 months, or both, for each undocumented migrant found on the premises.
For a subsequent conviction, the penalty is a fine of between RM10,000 and RM60,000, or jail for up to two years, or both, for each undocumented migrant.
Under Section 12(1) of the Passport Act 1966, the offence carries a maximum fine of RM10,000, jail for up to five years, or both.
Chua was represented by lawyer Lim Kwang Ching of KC Lim & Partners, while Siti Khaidijah Khairuddin prosecuted.
The court granted him bail of RM10,000 for the charge under the Immigration Act and RM15,000 for the passport charge, bringing his total bail to RM25,000.
The court fixed Nov 22 for mention and submission of documents.
In a separate case at the same court, the seven Indonesian women pleaded guilty to overstaying in Malaysia under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The women, aged between 20 and 51, were each fined RM10,000, in default two months' imprisonment.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd