Julianus being escorted from the courtroom after sentencing.
KUCHING (July 14): A farmer was yesterday sentenced to two years in prison for smuggling five Indonesian illegal immigrants into Sarawak.
Julianus Mikhael, 39, pleaded guilty before High Court Judge Dr Alwi Abdul Wahab, who convicted him under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
The Section carries a jail term of up to five years and fine not exceeding RM250,000 or both upon conviction.
Julianus committed the offence at the roadside of Kampung Kandaie in Lundu at 8pm on March 2, 2021, by using a compact car to ferry the illegal immigrants.
In mitigation, the father-of-two pleaded for leniency, telling the court that he is the sole breadwinner for his family and also siblings, and that his father is ill.
He also expressed remorse over his action and promised not to reoffend in the future.
DPP Ruthra Raj prosecuted while Julianus was unrepresented.