Myanmar man gets 6 years’ jail for smuggling illegal immigrants into Malaysia

A Myanmar migrant smuggler has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Kota Bharu High Court for bringing six of his countrymen into Malaysia illegally. Judicial Commissioner Shamsul Bahrin Abdul Manaf emphasized that the offence not only breaches immigration laws but also poses a significant threat to border security and national security.

Myo Aung, 26, pleaded guilty after being apprehended early on October 26, 2024, when police stopped his Perodua Aruz van at Jalan Persiaran Raya in Gua Musang. Inside the vehicle, authorities found six Myanmar nationals, all lacking valid travel documents. The court acknowledged that the arrest was part of a deliberate and coordinated operation, with migrants crossing the Thai-Malaysian border by river before being transported in multiple vehicles.

Despite Myo Aung's first-time offender status and guilty plea, the judge maintained that the severity of the crime warranted a six-year sentence, reflecting the gravity of the offense and the need for a deterrent effect. The court also forfeited the seized vehicle and two mobile phones to the government.