A human resource manager of Malaysia’s leading textile retailer, Jakel, was fined RM25,000 by the special court for undocumented migrants for hiring an Indonesian worker without a valid work permit last year.

Judge Wan Mohd Norisham Wan Yaakob imposed the fine on Kamaruddin Su, 41, after the man pleaded guilty to hiring a woman by the name of Sukiyati, 46, who did not possess a valid work permit, as a staff.

Kamaruddin committed the offence at Jakel Mall, 159 Jakel Square, Jalan Munshi Abdullah Kuala Lumpur, at 8pm on July 6, 2017, and was charged under Section 55B(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which carries fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000 or jail term of not more than 12 months, or both, upon conviction.

The court also ordered him to serve six months’ jail if he failed to pay the fine. Kamaruddin chose to pay the fine.

Before sentencing, the judge also advised Kamaruddin as the company’s representative to be more careful in hiring foreign workers.

“Jakel is a famous company in Malaysia. As a human resource manager, you should be careful when hiring foreign workers.

“It’s sad that despite the many operations mounted by the Immigration Department to stop illegal immigration, the number of undocumented migrants keeps on rising.

“Our prisons are not only filled by locals, but also foreigners. So, the punishment passed must serve as a lesson for other companies,” the judge said.

Immigration Department prosecuting officer Mohd Khairul Amri Mohd Zainuddin prosecuted, while Kamaruddin was not represented.

- Bernama