KOTA KINABALU: Thirteen men – one Pakistani, five Indonesians and seven Filipinos – were sent to jail and ordered to be whipped by the Sessions Court for overstaying and violating  their  visit passes.Sharler Saldi, 18, Hasran Datu Rahman and Sudar Mono Yusuf, both 19, got four months’ jail while Bajobil Aja, 36, Kobal Hamin, 40, and Amlun Madas, 35, received 30 days and ordered to be given three strokes of the cane each.

High Court Deputy Registrar Zaini Fishir @ Fisal imposed the sentence on the six accused who were separately charged under Section 6 (1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or a jail term of up to five years.

Meanwhile, Nasir Alitab, 21, Jonli Belang, 24, Rofinus Duru, 22, and Kobus Kopong, 35, were sentenced to four months’ jail for overstaying.

The offence under Section 15 (1)(e) of the same act is  punishable with a jail term of not more than five   years  or a fine or both.

In the same court, Zaini also jailed Pakkal Lajah Sangkula, 40, Lorens Wuwur, 29, and Abdul Wahab Anam, 19, four months for violating their visit passes.

The three accused were separately charged under Section 39b  of  the same act, which provides for a fine of not more than RM1,000 or a jail term of up to six months or both upon conviction.

Prosecuting Officer Mohd Syafiq Amin of the Immigration Department and Deputy Public Prosecutor Niat Andy appeared for the prosecution yesterday.