Two Thais sent to prison for overstaying
By Liza Mohd

A Thai man who was already sent to 2 months in jail committed the same offence of overstaying in the country and the Kuala Belait Magistrate's Court yesterday ordered him to serve another 6 months in prison. Lert Sethon, 39, was suppose to report himself to the Immigration Department pending repatriation to Bangkok before the expiry date of his special pass on February 5, 1998. However, he failed to abide with the conditions after his release from prison and continued to stay illegally in the country for over 5 years. The defendant who came to Brunei in 1993 to work as a labourer was caught during a raid at his residence at Anduki on April 11 this year.

Immigration Prosecuting Officer Awg Reduan bin Hj Adnan told the court that during the raid, the accused was unable to produce any valid documents to prove his stay in Brunei and was immediately arrested on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant.

Meanwhile Muai Philatan, 50, had to serve one month in jail as he was unable to pay up a $1,000 fine for overstaying in the country.

Facts of the case stated that his employer had cancelled his employment pass on October 26, 1999 and was permitted to leave home. However, the defendant remained to stay in Brunei for a period of 1258 days until he was caught on April 10 at a house in the vicinity of Anduki dumping area.

During his illegal stay, he had managed to seek employment elsewhere and had worked illegally at several places with his friends, the court before Magistrate Dk Masni bte Pg Hj Bahar was told.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin