KUCHING: A welder was fined RM1,600, in default one month imprisonment, by the Magistrates’ Court here today for gambling online in a public place using his mobile phone.
Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali imposed the fine towards the 19-year-old accused after he pleading guilty to the charge under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both, upon conviction.
The accused admitted to committing the offence at about 5:30 pm on June 10 at a cafe along Jalan Matang here.
According to the facts of the case, the complainant, who was conducting ‘Ops Dadu’, carried out surveillance at the location for about 15 minutes before arresting the accused for allegedly engaging in online gambling.
During the arrest, police seized a Redmi mobile phone, which the accused had been using to access the gambling platform, as well as RM20 in cash.
Investigations found that the mobile phone contained elements linked to online gambling.
The device had also been voluntarily handed over by the accused during the arrest.
The prosecution was conducted by Inspector Nur Shafiqa Nyaie Ilin, while the accused was unrepresented.
