A Syrian man, who used a false Malta passport to leave Sandakan in Malaysia on a ferry to Zamboanga City in southern Philippines was fined RM8,000 (nearly €2,000) or eight months jail by a Sessions Court here, Malaysian media reported.

Khaled Abdul Rahman Mohamad, 32, pleaded guilty Monday to the offence. Khaled had entered Malaysia via Kuala Lumpur International Airport using a Syrian Passport on 6 June.

Khaled was detained at the Immigration Control Post at the Sandakan seaport trying to board the passenger ferry to Zamboanga City with a Malta passport on 17 June.

Further investigation conducted by the Immigration Department showed the accused is a Syrian national and had paid certain sum of money to obtain the fake Malta passport.

Malaysia security has been on high alert in Sandakan following suspected movement of militants to southern Philippines via Sandakan to undergo training with the Al Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf group.