SANDAKAN – A single mother was sentenced to six months in prison and fined RM4,000 after pleading guilty to giving false information when applying for a MyKad for a child, believed to be an undocumented migrant.
Magistrate Nur Faezah Jafry sentenced Harisa Arif @ Rippe, 41, at the Beluran circuit court today, ordering the woman to begin her imprisonment immediately.
Harisa was charged for the offence that was committed on November 3, 2022, at 9.31am at the Beluran district National Registration Department (JPN).
She is believed to have used a birth certificate with a 2009 year of birth to apply for a MyKad for a male minor.
The court did not name the individual, other than to state that he is believed to be an undocumented migrant.
The birth certificate’s authenticity was not argued in court.
Harisa’s offence falls under Section 25 (1) (b) of the National Registration Regulation 1990 (Amended 2007), which carries the maximum punishment of three years imprisonment or RM20,000 fine or both, upon conviction.
Prosecuting officer Mohd Naser Mohd Nadzeri from Sabah JPN pleaded for the court to rule an appropriate punishment to prevent similar cases from happening in the future, taking into account public interest and social justice.
“The accused’s action of submitting a MyKad application for the individual, believed to be an illegal immigrant, by using the birth certificate of a citizen until a MyKad was produced for the individual is an offense that must be viewed seriously.
“We plead for appropriate punishment to be called to provide awareness to the community about the issue of the self-identification document, which is a serious and sensitive issue, and it involves the sovereignty of the country,” he said.
Harisa, who was not represented, pleaded for a lighter sentence, citing her status as a single mother who had to care for four children. – March 6, 2024