Lelaki Myanmar dijel 6 tahun seludup Pati masuk Malaysia

Kota Bharu's High Court has sentenced a 26-year-old Myanmarese man to six years in prison for smuggled six of his fellow countrymen into Malaysia in 2024. The court emphasized that migrant smuggling is a serious offense that undermines national border control, immigration law enforcement, and national security. Myo Aung was arrested around 5:20 am on October 26, 2024, after police detained a Perodua Aruz in Gua Musang's Perbadanan Persiaran Raya.

The six Myanmar nationals - one woman and five men - were found inside the vehicle, all lacking valid travel documents. They had crossed the border from Thailand by boat and several vehicles before reaching Paloh in Gua Musang, where Myo Aung picked them up. The court noted that the migration incident was intentional and planned.

Malaysia has also increased the maximum prison sentence for migrant smuggling under Section 26A of the Illegal Immigration and Smuggling Act 2007 from 15 years to 20 years, effective February 22, 2022. The High Court also referenced the Appeals Court's decision to impose harsher sentences in smuggling cases, stating that precaution, public interest, and safety concerns should be duly considered.

Despite Myo Aung being a first-time offender and admitting guilt, the court noted that this does not warrant a significant deviation from the established sentencing trend. The court ordered the seizure of Myo Aung's Perodua Aruz and two stolen mobile phones to be forfeited to the government. Assistant Prosecutor Ahmad Faiz Fitri Mohamad represented the prosecution, while Rohaizat Amin argued for Myo Aung.