KOTA KINABALU: A property owner was fined RM75,000 for allowing 15 illegal immigrants to remain on his premises.
Sessions Court judge Azreena Aziz imposed the fine on Lee Jiun Ming, 44, after the latter admitted to allowing the illegal immigrants to remain at Maple Karaoke Lounge in Penampang near here at 11.40pm on June 9.
The immigrants, aged between 18 and 38 years old, consisted four Indonesians and 11 Filipinos.
Lee was charged under Section 55E (1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and punishable under Section 55E(2) of the same act.
It carries a fine of between RM5,000 and RM30,000, or a jail term of up 12 months, or both for each illegal immigrant found at the premises, upon conviction.
Lee was fined RM5,000 in default of two months in jail for each illegal immigrant harboured.
In mitigation, Lee, unrepresented, asked for leniency.
Immigration prosecuting officer Chin Tze Mee requested that a deterrent sentence be imposed on Lee.
It is learnt that Lee paid his fine.