KOTA KINABALU: Two Filipinas who were born in Sabah were each sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment for applying for MyKad replacements using another person's information.
IMM13 holder Murada Rabung, 32, and undocumented Nor Hasna Paisal, 19, pleaded guilty to the charge before magistrates Lovely Natasha Charles and Jessica Ombou Kakayun, respectively.
Murada, who was born in Tawau, gave false information when making a replacement application for a lost MyKad under the name of "Nazira Eranza" at the Identity Card Division of the National Registration Department (NRD) here on July 21.
Nor Hasna who was born in Semporna, committed a similar offence by making the same application under the name of "Erah Eranza" at the same place on July 22.
Both charges were under Regulation 25(1)(b) of the National Registration Regulations 1990, which provides for imprisonment of up to three years, a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or both, upon conviction.
The facts of the case stated that both accused went to the NRD office here to apply for replacement of a lost MyKad.
However, their fingerprints did not match the said MyKad records. Their fingerprints were also not found in the NRD system.
In mitigation, both unrepresented accused asked for leniency saying that they were housewives.
Murada said she needed to take care of her four children who are still schooling while Nor Hasna has a child who still breastfeeds.
Prosecuting officer Mohd Naser Mohd Nadzeri from the NRD urged for a deterrent sentence due to the seriousness of the offence.
He argued that any attempt by a foreigner, especially an illegal immigrant, to fraudulently obtain a MyKad should be taken seriously.
He said if they had managed to get a MyKad replacement, it would harm the real owner of the said MyKad.
Moreover, such an offence would certainly have negative implications and affect the administration, economy, security, and sovereignty of the country.
The court ordered both accused to be referred to the Immigration Department after completing their respective sentence.