KUCHING: An Indonesian man has been fined RM10,000, in default of three months’ jail, for operating an online gambling activity using a smartphone in a shop.
Atie, 29, pleaded guilty on Tuesday (June 13) before Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi to a charge framed under Section 4B(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
If convicted, Atie could have faced a fine of up to RM100,000 for each gambling machine and a maximum jail term of five years. The offence took place at a shop in Jalan Sungai Padungan at around 1.20pm on June 9.
Magistrate Zubaidah also imposed a three-month prison sentence in case Atie fails to pay the fine and ordered him to be referred to the Immigration Department for further action.
During a police raid codenamed ‘Op Dadu’ conducted at the shop suspected of involvement in online gambling activities, Atie was arrested for operating an online gambling machine using an Oppo smartphone.
The police seized the smartphone and RM50 in cash from him. A gambling expert’s report confirmed that the smartphone used by Atie was indeed a gambling machine.
Inspector Nur Syafiqa Nyaie Ilin handled the prosecution in the case while Atie was unrepresented by a counsel.
