An Indian has earned the dubious distinction of being the first 'foreign fake doctor' in Malaysia to be convicted and jailed for abusing his work permit.
Surinder Pal, 34, was sentenced to five-month imprisonment at the Semenyih detention centre's special immigration court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty.
The quack was arrested 10 days ago for treating a patient at a clinic in Kuala Lumpur though he did not have valid qualifications and was not registered with the Malaysian Medical Association. He was charged under Malaysia's Immigration Regulations for contravening his employment pass.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of a fine not exceeding approximately Rs 12,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both.
Immigration deputy assistant director Kasthuri Bai Venugopal, who was also the prosecuting officer, asked the court for a deterrent sentence given the seriousness of the offence and its consequences.
Pal had been issued an employment pass to work as a technical director at a company in Taman Selatan Klang.
Immigration officers found documents, including salary vouchers, which showed that Pal had been on the clinic's payroll since March.