KUCHING: Six men were fined RM1,000 each, in default one month’s imprisonment, by the Magistrates’ Court here today (Apr 14) for their involvement in a cockfighting activity last week.
Muhammad Syafi Abdullah, 34; Kelvin Ronet, 22; Roberto Kentona Juang, 31; Terrance Gemog, 32; Choo Shin Hiang, 54; and Mark Lee Marwan Almadanat, 24, all pleaded guilty to the charge read before Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan.
They were charged under Section 73(1)(g) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, punishable under the same section and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of a fine of up to RM2,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both, upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, the offence was committed at about 1 pm on Apr 10 at an open space near Kampung Chupak, where the six were found participating in cockfighting.
Police personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and a task force from the Padawan Police Headquarters (IPD) conducted a raid under Op Dadu at the location to uncover the illegal activity.
During the raid, all six individuals were arrested and several items believed to have been used in the activity were seized, including one live chicken, one dead chicken, two cockfighting spurs, and RM200 in cash.
Investigations revealed that the cockfighting activity was conducted without any licence or permission from the relevant authorities.
During the recording of statements, all six admitted to being present at the scene and were aware that illegal cockfighting involving live chickens was taking place.
The prosecution was conducted by Prosecuting Officer Inspector Nur Shafiqa Nyaie Illin, while all six accused were unrepresented.
