SIBU: A 56-year-old man was TOday fined a total of RM40,000 for illegally operating a pawnbrokering business at two places here.
Sia Heng was handed a fine of RM20,000 in default, one year’s imprisonment for the offence committed at a shop along Cross Road on Feb 22, last year.
He was found operating the business without a valid licence issued under Section 7(1) of the Pawnbrokers Act 1972 (Act 81), thereby committing an offence under Section 7(2) of the same Act.
Magistrate Romario Jonoi handed Sia the penalty after he maintained his plea of guilt.
In a separate court, Sia was also fined RM20,000, in default, one year’s imprisonment for committing a similar offence.
Magistrate Oon Kork Chern handed the penalty after he confessed to committing the offence at another shop along Market Road at about 11am on Feb 22, 2024.
The offence provides for a fine of between RM20,000 and RM100,000 or five years’ imprisonment or both, upon conviction.
Both cases were prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Keshava Rao Tharma Raja.
Sia opted to pay the fines.
