Back
2024 MarsdenLR 2849
HIGH COURT MALAYA SHAH ALAM
PP – Appellant
Versus
ZALI SAAD & ORS – Respondent
[Case No: BA-45SOM-14-06/2023]
Sentences for smuggling migrants must reflect the seriousness of the offence and serve as a deterrent, especially concerning public interest and national security.
Headnote:(A) Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 – Section 26A – Sentencing for smuggling migrants – Accused pleaded guilty to charges of smuggling 29 migrants into Malaysia – Sentenced to eight years imprisonment – Court emphasized the need for deterrent sentences in light of public interest and national security concerns. (Paras 1, 4, 29)
(B) Sentencing Principles – The court must consider public interest, deterrence, and the individual circumstances of each offender when imposing sentences – Judicial discretion allows for varying sentences based on the offender's background and the nature of the crime. (Paras 5, 6, 7)
Facts of the case: The accused were apprehended while attempting to smuggle 33 foreign nationals into Malaysia via an unregistered boat. They were charged under the Anti-Trafficking Act and the Immigration Act. (Paras 2, 4)
Findings of Court: The sentence of eight years was deemed appropriate considering the severity of the offence and the need for deterrence. (Paras 29)
Issues: The court addressed the appropriateness of the sentence given the nature of the crime and the public interest in combating human trafficking. (Paras 29)
Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that sentences must reflect the seriousness of the offence and serve as a deterrent, particularly in cases involving national security. (Paras 29)
Result: The appeal against the severity of the sentence was dismissed.
JUDGMENT
[1] In this case the accused persons pleaded guilty to a charge under s 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 Act 670 (ATIPSOM). After hearing their mitigation and the learned Deputy Public Prosecutor's submission, I sentenced all of them to eight (8) years imprisonment from their date of arrest. The accused persons now appeal against the severity of the sentence meted out to them.
[2] The accussed persons were charged as follows:
"PERTUDUHAN
Bahawa kamu bersama-sama pada 21 Jun 2023 jam lebih kurang 10.30 malam di atas sebuah bot gentian kaca tanpa nombor pendaftaran, di kedudukan garis lintang 2 darjah 35.349' minit utara dan garis bujur 11 darjah 35.222' minit timur dalam perairan Malaysia pada jarak 3.4 batu nautika dengan daratan terhampir Tanjung Rhu, Sepang Selangor telah melakukan penyeludupan migran iaitu (29) warga asing sepertimana di Lampiran A. Oleh itu, kamu telah melakukan kesalahan yang boleh dihukum di bawah s 26A Akta Anti-Pemerdagangan Orang dan Anti Penyeludupan Migran 2007 [Akta 670] yang dibawa bersama s 34 Kanun Keseksaan [Akta 574].
Hukuman:
Hukuman penjara selama tempoh tidak melebihi 20 tahun dan juga boleh dikenakan denda atau kedua-duanya.
[3] It is to be noted that previously the offence was punishable by imprisonment for fifteen years, however by Act A1644 it was increased to twenty years with effect from 22 February 2022.
[4] The Facts Of The Case
"1. Pada 26 January 2023 jam lebih kurang 10.30 malam, pengadu Bintara Kanan Maritim Ahmad Salleh bin Mohd Arif dari Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia ketika melaksanakan Operasi Murni di perairan Selat Melaka dan Negeri Sembilan menggunakan sebuah bot PETIR 84 bersama 4 anggotanya, telah menerima maklumat satu kontak curiga daripada SWASLA Lumut.
2. Pada 26 January 2023 jam lebih kurang 10.30 pagi Pengadu bersama 4 anggotanya telah memeriksa sebuah bot gentian kaca tiada nombor Pendaftaran di Garis Lintang 02 35.3'9' Utara dan Garis Bujur 101° 35.222' Timur iaitu lebih kurang 3.4 batu nautika daratan terhampir Tanjung Rhu, Sepang, Selangor di dalam perairan Malaysia.
3. Hasil pemeriksaan awal mendapati sebuah bot gentian kaca tiada nombor pendaftaran didapati membawa penumpang seramai 33 warga asing terdiri daripada 3 warganegara Myanmar dan 30 warganegara Indonesia cuba memasuki Malaysia melalui jalan yang tidak sah. Bot ditahan dan kesemua tangkapan diiringi ke Jeti Maritim Negeri Melaka dan Negeri Sembilan untuk tindakan selanjutnya.
4. Pemeriksaan lanjut mendapati bot gentian kaca tersebut dalam perjalanan masuk ke Malaysia melalui jalan yang tidak diwartakan. Kesemua mereka ditahan kerana disyaki melakukan kesalahan di bawah Akta Anti-Pemerdagangan Orang dan Antipenyeludupan Migran 2007 [Akta 670] dan Akta Imigresen 1959/63 [Akta 155] termasuk bot gentian kaca tiada nombor pendaftaran yang digunakan. Laporan polis berkaitan tangkapan dan rampasan dibuat sepertimana Report SG PELEK/000272/23.
5. Siasatan dijalankan dan mendapati 4 daripada kesemua tangkapan iaitu Zali bin Saad (Tertuduh Pertama) merupakan tekong bot manakala Tengku Mohd Bashah bin Tengku Husin (Tertuduh Kedua), Adi Bastian Bustami (Tertuduh ketiga) dan Mohd Yusof bin Husin (Tertuduh Keempat) teiah menyeludup (29) orang migran warga Indonesia dan Myanmar TIADA DOKUMEN masuk ke Malaysia iaitu:
1. NUR KASIM BIN SUYUT/LELAKI/23 TAHUN/MYANMAR
2. MOHD JALIL BIN M. ALI/LELAKI/45 TAHUN/INDONESIA
3. NURUHMAN BIN ROHIM/LELAKI/41 TAHUN/INDONESIA
4. MOHD RIDUAN BIN AHMAD/LELAKI/22 TAHUN/INDONESIA
5. DARWIS BIN MAT SOM/LELAKI/43 TAHUN/INDONESIA
6. MOHD RIZAL BIN NORDIN/LELAKI/23 TAHUN/INDONESIA
7. ARMAN BIN BORHAN/LELAKI/33 TAHUN/INDONESIA
8. MUSTAFA BIN ZULKIFLI/LELAKI/28 TAHUN/INDONESIA
9. MOHD RAFI BIN BUSHRA/LELAKI/22 TAHUN/INDONESIA
10. JULIADI BIN DERMAWAN/LELAKI/22 TAHUN/INDONESIA
11. ARMOKO BIN MAKMUR/LELAKI/22 TAHUN/ INDONESIA
12. MOHD NASR BIN ABDULLAH/LELAKI/27 TAHUN/INDONESIA
13.1 PAL BIN SUBURHAN/LELAKI/37 TAHUN/INDONESIA
14. IRWIN BIN
