KUCHING: A manager and the owner of an entertainment outlet were each fined RM4,000 in default three months imprisonment here Monday for operating a public entertainment premises without a valid licence.
Magistrate Leona Dominic Mojiliu imposed the fine on Brian Ngiam Tee Kiat, 53, and Tan Jia Perng, 44, after they admitted to the offence.
The charge framed under Section 5(1) of the Entertainment Ordinance 2000, punishable under Section 5(3) of the same Ordinance, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, carries a penalty of a fine of up to RM20,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.
According to the charge, the duo, acting together, had provided entertainment facilities similar to a pub without a licence at a bar near RH Plaza, Jalan Lapangan Terbang, at about 11.50pm on May 19.
A team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Sarawak police headquarters conducted an inspection under Op Noda at the premises on the night of May 19.
Ngiam, who was identified as the premises manager, and Tan, the owner of the establishment, were subsequently arrested.
Police also seized several items from the premises, including a television set, a monitor screen, a mixer, a speaker, a microphone and a sales receipt.
Investigations established that the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) had not issued any entertainment licence for Perfect Nine Caf to operate as an entertainment centre.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani prosecuted the case. Both accused were not represented.
