Indonesian fined RM5,000 for entering Sarawak without permit

KUCHING: The Sessions Court here fined a foreign woman RM5,000, in default four months in prison, for entering Sarawak without a valid travel permit.

Berma Susana, 28, from Pontianak, Indonesia pleaded guilty before Judge Musli Abdul Hamid to the charge under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, read together with Section 6(3) of the same Act.

If convicted, she could face a fine up to RM10,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to five years or both, and could be subject to a maximum of six lashes of the cane.

She was arrested at a premises at Mile 4 1/2, Jalan Penrissen around 11.45pm on July 3.

Judge Musli also ordered Berma to be handed over to the Sarawak Immigration Department after serving her sentence.

According to the case facts, a police team raided the premises and arrested Berma and a fellow countryman named Rudy Bong. Further checks found that Berma worked as a slot machine technician while Bong was a cashier at the premises.

The police also discovered several slot machines, ‘Sun Wukong’ slot games and other tools for illegal gambling.

Investigations revealed that Berma did not possess a valid travel document, and an immigration report showed no entry record for her.

Meanwhile, in a separate proceeding, Berma and Bong were each fined RM10,000, in default one month in prison, at the Magistrates’ Court for operating 23 gambling machines at the premises.

Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi sentenced them on their guilty pleas under Section 4B(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

If convicted, the Section carries a fine of up to RM100,000 for each confiscated gambling machine and imprisonment up to five years.

Deputy public prosecutor Norshafatihah Nor Azmi handled the prosecution in the Sessions Court while ASP Arman Ibrahim handled the prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court.