AN Indonesian couple was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by the Sessions Court here today after admitting to entering Malaysia without valid travel documents.
Judge Musyiri Peet handed down the sentence to Heriadi, 39, and his wife Keti, 36, and ordered both to be referred to the Immigration Department following the completion of their jail terms.
According to court documents, the pair entered Malaysia unlawfully on 23 June at approximately 9.50 pm near Jalan Teku-Pasai Siong. They were charged under Section 6(1)(C) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amendment 2002), punishable under Section 6(3), which provides for a fine of up to RM10,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, and may include whipping of up to six strokes upon conviction.
The couple was detained during a routine police check after being linked to the suspected murder of an Indonesian national at a plantation hut along Jalan Rantau Panjang. Authorities later confirmed that they held no valid documents and had no entry or exit records in immigration databases.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Cynthia Emmelda Jerry. Both defendants were unrepresented.
In a separate development, Heriadi is facing a murder charge in the Magistrate’s Court for allegedly killing another Indonesian man, identified as Andi, on 22 June at 7 pm. The alleged incident occurred at the same plantation site. No plea was recorded, as the charge falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
The next mention has been set for 29 August.
South Korean Man Jailed for Overstaying
In a separate case heard at the Magistrate’s Court in George Town, a South Korean man was sentenced to three months’ jail for overstaying in Malaysia.
Jeon Eunjin, 55, pleaded guilty after the charge was read in English before Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi. His sentence is effective from the date of his arrest on 30 June.
Jeon, who worked in construction in South Korea, overstayed his 90-day social visit pass, which expired on 10 February. He was apprehended at the Criminal Investigation Division of the Timur Laut district police headquarters at 12.30 pm on 30 June.
He was charged under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and punished under Section 15(4), which carries a fine of not less than RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) lawyer Nur Adilla Zaharuddin, who represented Jeon, appealed for a minimal sentence, citing that he is married with two children and had cooperated fully with authorities. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Danial Amir Saari, however, urged for a sentence proportionate to the offence.
In a related charge, Jeon was also fined RM2,000 or six months’ jail in default after pleading guilty to lodging a false police report on 28 June at the same police headquarters.
The offence, under Section 182 of the Penal Code, carries a penalty of up to six months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both. - July 11, 2025
