TAWAU: A foreigner's attempt to use an identity card belonging to a local woman to board a plane to Kuala Lumpur caused her to be sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined RM2,000 by the Magistrate's Court, here, today.
Magistrate Leona Dominic Mojiliu, handed down the sentence after Malyn Julismu, 27, from Kampung Selamat Semporna pleaded guilty to committing the act at the Tawau Airport Departure Hall, at 10.30am, on July 27.
According to the charge, Malyn who is also a holder of the Temporary Resident Identification Card (MyKas), was accused of possessing an identification card No. 941224-12-7110 in the name of Norlina Binti Abbai, 28.
For the offence, the accused was charged in accordance with Regulation 25 (1)(o) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007), which is punishable with maximum prison sentence of three years or a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or both.
Earlier, National Registration Department (NRD) prosecuting officer Mohd Naser Mohd Nadzeri, in his argument, said the accused's act of possessing and using someone else's identity card was a serious offence.
"There are many negative implications if an impersonator commits a criminal offence, including causing bank accounts to be frozen.
"There are even cases involving the owner of the real identity card who has been registered dead, thus disrupting daily life," he said.
Meanwhile, the accused who was not represented, requested a minimum fine and exemption from imprisonment as she had to take care of a sick father.
The court also ordered the accused to be imprisoned for two months if she failed to pay the fine.
The accused, however, paid the fine.