KOTA KINABALU: A 28-year-old Filipino man who used the identity card of another person to get vaccinated for Covid-19 has been jailed nine months by the Magistrate's Court here.

       Albin Janani pleaded guilty to three charges under National Registration Regulations for using another person's identity card and also for impersonation before Magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles.

       He committed the offence at Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) vaccination centre in Penampang at 3.25pm on Aug 12 to register for the vaccination.

       The offence was framed under Rule 25(1)(e) of the National Registration Regulations 1990, which carries a jail term of up to three years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

       For the second and third charges for impersonation, he was charged under Section 419 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to seven years and or a fine.

       For impersonation, Albin was accused of cheating vaccination centre staff Jason Jr Bernard by presenting himself as a MyKad owner which prompted Jason to give Albin the shot on the same day and time.

       On the third charge, Albin had also misled Lella Sumporo at the Permai Polyclinic in Putatan for a swab test at about 10am on the same day.

       Magistrate Charles ordered three months' imprisonment for each charge and ordered it to run concurrently.

       Albin was ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department at the end of his sentence.

       During mitigation, Albin appealed for a lenient sentence and that he committed the offence because he wanted to be fully vaccinated as it would be easier to seek employment.

       He also said that he had to look after his children and three younger siblings as his parents had passed away.

       The real owner of the MyKad had lodged a police report after he realised that his identity was being used by another person when he could not register under the MySejahtera application to get vaccinated.

       He was also listed as Covid-19 positive due to a swab test done by Albin.

       The prosecution was led by Inspector Kelvan Elson Maik while Albin was not represented.