Agent faces charges for sheltering seven migrants and holding six passports

In Pasir Mas, Sessions Court proceedings began for Chua Kee Lin, 40, who faces two separate charges: harboring seven undocumented Indonesian migrants and possessing six passports belonging to other individuals. Prosecutors allege that Chua allowed the migrants to remain in a Nissan Serena at a junction near Kampung Pauh Ganja at 8.25 am, and that he kept the passports at Kampung Kok Seraya at 9.05 am on the same day. The immigration charge, under Section 55E(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, can result in fines between RM5,000 and RM30,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment per migrant, with higher penalties for repeat offences.

The passport offence, under Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966, carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 and up to five years in jail. Chua, represented by Lim Kwang Ching, was granted bail of RM10,000 for the immigration charge and RM15,000 for the passport charge, totaling RM25,000. The court set a November 22 date for further submissions, while a related case saw seven Indonesian women plead guilty to overstaying and receive fines of RM10,000 each.