KANGAR, March 24 — A former policeman was sentenced to three years’ jail by the Sessions Court, here, today after he was found guilty of smuggling three Vietnamese illegal immigrants three years ago.

Judge Azman Abu Hassan in passing sentence on Abdul Hamid Othman, also ordered him to serve his jail term from today.

Abdul Hamid was charged with smuggling in three Vietnamese nationals at the car inspection counter exit 2, Padang Besar Immigration post, near here, at 7.20am on December 7, 2014.

He was charged under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which provides for a jail term of up to five years and a fine not exceeding RM250,000, or both.

However, the accused who was represented by counsel Eda Nurul Hanani Md Daud, asked the court to defer the jail sentence as he wanted to file an appeal to the High Court.

Azman allowed the jail sentence be deferred on the condition that the accused filed his notice of appeal to the High Court today and pay bail of RM25,000 in one surety.

Malaysia Immigration Department deputy public prosecutor, Akmal Baharuddin appeared for the prosecution during the proceeding. — Bernama