50 Myanmar nationals charged

SEPANG, Malaysia - Following violent factional clashes among Myanmar nationals, the police rounded up 1,000 men for questioning.

Yesterday, 50 of them were charged in the Sessions Court here with having fake United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) passes.

However, the men, aged 18 to 55, claimed trial when the charge was read to them before judge Norhayati Mohamad Yunus.

They insisted they had valid UNHCR cards.

The court fixed July 1 for mention, pending confirmation by the Immigration department.

If convicted, they could be fined a sum not exceeding RM10,000 (S$3,999) or jailed up to five years and whipping of up to six strokes under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963.

UNHCR legal advisers were seen attempting to meet with the detainees outside the court complex but were barred by officials there.

On Sunday, the organisation claimed it had not been given access to those allegedly found with fake UNHCR cards and needed to verify if the foreigners had legitimate refugee claims.

Immigration senior prosecuting officer Abdul Latiff Hamzah said the group should have done it earlier at the Immigration headquarters in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur immigration department prosecuting officer Seipul Anwar Amat said another 137 Myanmar nationals would be charged with committing the same offence today.

Meanwhile, another Myanmar national and a Bangladeshi were jailed for overstaying. Myanmmar national Win Thay, 42, was jailed four months while Md Shahadat Hossain, 26, was sentenced to two months' jail after both pleaded guilty to overstaying.

They were charged under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act.

Seipul Anwar prosecuted while the accused were unrepresented.

He said the two men and the others were carrying improper documents when they were picked up from the Selayang wholesale market on June 7.

He added that the foreigners may have entered the country through illegal paths, commonly known as jalan tikus.

Source: http://www.articles.myanmaronlinecentre.com/50-myanmar-nationals-charged/