KUCHING: A golf caddy was fined RM1,800, in default one month’s imprisonment, by the Magistrate’s Court here today for gambling using a mobile phone at a convenience store last week.
Mohammad Ismail Reduan, 46, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali to committing the offence under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
The offence under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 carries a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
The law also provides for gaming instruments or appliances seized in connection with the offence to be forfeited to the government upon conviction.
The court heard that Ismail was caught gambling at about 3:00 pm on July 24 at a convenience store near Demak Laut Commercial Centre.
He was arrested during a raid conducted by a team from the Kuching District Police Headquarters’ Criminal Investigation Department.
Police then found the accused sitting in front of the premises and allegedly engaging in online gambling activities using an Oppo mobile phone.
Police seized the mobile phone, two pieces of paper containing numbers, and letters believed to be user IDs and passwords, as well as RM30 in cash.
The seized phone was subsequently examined by a gambling expert, who confirmed that it was a gaming machine.
The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan. The accused was unrepresented.
