Nathaniel Sario
Forged travel documents have landed three more Pakistani men in prison.
Sessions Court judge Ishak Bakri sentenced 22-year-old Ibrar Khan Ibrahim Khan to three months’ imprisonment and a fine of RM10,000, in default one month’s imprisonment, after the latter pleaded guity to the charge which was read to him in Pashtu.
Ibrar had been charged with using a Multiple Entry Visa, issued by the Immigration Office in Lahad Datu, which stated that he was married to one Laidah Suka, 38.
The offence was committed at 2pm at an Immigration Post at the Menumbok Jetty on February 11.
Next, Ishak delivered a similar sentence on Saleem Nawab, 32, as he was charged with using a Multiple Entry Visa which claimed that he was married to Norliha Ali Hassan, 41.
Saleem had committed the offence at Kampung Likas on February 11 at 10pm.
The same court also sentenced 37-year-old Iqbal Hussain Gul Wazir to three months’ jail and a hefty fine of RM10,000 or one month’s imprisonment, as in his Multiple Entry Visa, he was married to a woman, Azfarain Azman, 17.
Their offences, framed under Section 471 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 465 of the same Code, provide for a prison term not exceeding two years, a fine, or both.
In mitigation, counsel Dato’ Seri Rakhbir Singh, who acted for Ibrar, stated that his client was a first time offender, while adding that his passport was still valid until 2016.
“The tap has to be closed so that the court is not flooded with such cases. The Immigration Officers need to be stopped from issuing Multiple Entry Visa’s without verifying the facts.
“It takes two hands to clap. Had the immigration officers not issued the passes, these men would not be here before the court,” Rakhbir added.
Meanwhile, both Saleem and Iqbal asked for leniency, telling the court that they had to take care of their families.
Prosecuting officer Awang Shamsul Baharam Bongsu, from the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) argued that the three men should be given deterrent sentences.
He added that the cases were linked to a syndicate which dealt in forged travel documents involving Pakistanis.
“They are guaranteed by their wives, who in fact, are not legally their wives at all. The arrests of these Pakistani men are from an initial investigation by the MACC,” he said.
He further stated that the use of passports which contain false information by Pakistanis were prevalent, and it was a serious offence.
“Such case involves not only the safety, but the integrity of the government, as well as the Immigration Department, which is the ‘doorway’ into our country,” he said.
According to Awang Shamsul, judicial notice could be made in relation to the influx of Pakistani nationals into the state.
Hence, he asked that the men be given a prison sentence as well as a fine, though they had pleaded guilty and saved the time of the court, which in turn should take into consideration the interest of the country.
Awang Shamsul said such a sentence would deter others who wished to manipulate the laws of the country.
The judge also ordered that all three men be referred to the Immigration Department for further action once they had completed their prison sentences.
Source: theborneopost
