Two military personnel were brought before the Sessions Court here today and charged with transporting smuggled Myanmar migrants in an incident reported last month at Bukit Kayu Hitam.
The accused, Mohd Zulhilmi Aqwa A. Rahman, 34, and Mohamad Johan Iskandar Shah Jeffry Pidin, 26, both nodded in understanding after the charges were read separately before Judge Sharmila Abdul Samad. No plea was recorded from either of them.
Mohd Zulhilmi, who is based in Batu Pahat, Johor, is alleged to have transported two Myanmar nationals, Binajo, 19, and Antoi, 29, using a Toyota Yaris vehicle.
The offence was said to have taken place at Check Point Foxtrot, the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex at about 7.13pm on May 22.
In a separate but related charge, Mohamad Johan Iskandar from Johor Bahru is accused of transporting another Myanmar national, Win Shwe, 61, using a Perodua Bezza at the same location and time.
Both were charged under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine, or both, upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurfatin Mastura Asri, while Mohd Zulhilmi was represented by lawyer Datuk G. Shanmugam. The second accused was not represented.
The court denied bail for both accused and fixed August 17 for mention of the case.
