TAWAU: A cleaning worker, who is 8 months' pregnant, was sentenced to three years in prison by the Sessions Court here today for two charges of submitting false information to the National Registration Department (NRD) nine years ago.
Tawau High Court deputy registrar Suhailla Selag, acting as a judge, handed down the sentence after the accused, Mertina Tibi, 37, pleaded guilty to both charges.
According to the charges, the accused, a cleaning worker at a supermarket, was found guilty of providing false information while registering for the first issuance of identity card (IC) by using the birth certificates of her two children for other individuals who were not her children. The offences allegedly took place at the Tawau NRD branch on Nov 17, 2015 and Oct 17, 2017.
In her judgment, Suhailla said the accused's actions were serious as they involved national security and integrity issues.
"The court has accepted the accused's guilty plea for offences under Rule 25(1)(b) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007) and is satisfied with the prosecution's evidence," she said.
"The accused is found guilty of providing false information when applying for the first-time identity card by using her two children's birth certification for other individuals who were not her biological children."
In passing the sentence, the court considered the impact or consequences of the offence, noting that if the identity card was given to the wrong person, it could pose a threat to the nation.
The court sentenced the accused to 18 months' imprisonment for each charge, with the sentences to run consecutively, starting from her arrest on Sept 17.
Earlier, the accused, who was unrepresented, pleaded for leniency, requesting exemption from imprisonment or a minimal fine, citing that she is 8 months' pregnant and has a disabled child, as well as two other schoolgoing children.
However, Sabah NRD prosecuting officer Mohd Naser Nadzeri argued for a deterrent sentence, taking into account the public interest and social justice.
"Although the accused pleaded guilty, it is important to remember that her actions have had a serious impact on the integrity of the legal system and public trust in its fairness.
"The accused's offence cannot be taken lightly, and the court must give it due attention, as failing to impose an appropriate sentence could send the wrong signal to the public and encourage others to engage in similar activities," he said.