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Two Chinese nationals fined RM10,000 each for bribing immigration officer

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KUCHING: Two Chinese nationals were each fined RM10,000 in default five months’ jail for giving a RM200 bribe to an immigration officer RM100 to skip inspection of their passports as their Professional Visit Passes (Professional Work Permits) were about to expire.

Pu Chaozheng, 36, and Xia Bobin, 35, pleaded guilty to an alternative charge under Section 214 of the Penal Code which was read separately before Sessions Court Judge Steve Ritikos today (Jan 27).

They were each charged with attempting to bribe a senior immigration officer on duty at the immigration counter at Kuching International Airport (KIA) between 10 am and 10.30 am on Jan 1.

Both the accused bribed the officer in return for not having their passports checked, hence avoiding legal action. They violated Rule 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations Act 1963.

According to the facts of the case, they had special passes to enter the country from Dec 6 last year until Jan 4 this year on official business.

On Jan 1, they were at KIA to depart for Kuala Lumpur.

As their passports were inspected by the officer, they were informed that they needed to report to the Immigration Office in Kuching to pay for and extend a Professional Visit Pass (Professional Work Permit).

The formalities were required because their special pass was about to expire on Jan 4, but at the time, the Chinese nationals had yet to renew their pass.

However, the two accused each took out RM100 cash, placed the money on the counter to prevent the officer from carrying out his duties.

The officer on duty without hesitation reported the incident to his superiors for further action.

Deputy Public Prosecutor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sarawak Nur Nisla Abd Latif prosecuted while both the accused were unrepresented.

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