KUCHING: A 23-year-old general worker was fined a total of RM4,500 by the Magistrates’ Court here today after pleading guilty to charges of online gambling and self-administering dangerous drugs.
In the first case before Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan, Dunstan Minan was fined RM2,000, in default two months’ imprisonment, after admitting to gaming in a public place under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming House Act 1953.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of a RM5,000 fine, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
According to the facts of the case, a police team from the Kuching Gambling Prevention Branch conducted an Op Dadu operation at about 3.20 pm on July 10 at a coffee shop along Jalan Sultan Tengah, Bandar Baru Samariang.
After about 15 minutes of surveillance, officers arrested Dunstan for allegedly conducting online gambling using the Mega888 application.
Police also seized a Vivo mobile phone and a piece of paper containing a username and password believed to be linked to the gambling activity.
Investigations, supported by an expert report, confirmed that the mobile phone constituted a “gaming machine” under the Common Gaming House Act 1953. Dunstan also admitted that he had been operating the gambling application when the raid was conducted.
In a separate case before the same magistrate, Dunstan pleaded guilty to self-administering dangerous drugs.
He was fined RM2,500, or in default nine months’ imprisonment, under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The court also ordered him to undergo police supervision for two years upon completing his sentence, in accordance with Section 38B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
According to the charge, Dunstan tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) without lawful authority at the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department office at the Kuching District Police Headquarters at about 4.15 am on Jan 22, 2025.
The facts of the case revealed that he was arrested by a police team before undergoing a urine screening test.
The initial screening returned positive results for methamphetamine and amphetamine. His urine sample was subsequently sent to the Pathology Department of Sarawak General Hospital for laboratory analysis.
The laboratory report later confirmed the presence of amphetamine, methamphetamine and MDMA, all of which are listed as dangerous drugs under the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly appeared for the prosecution in both cases. The accused was unrepresented.
