KUCHING: A local man was fined RM500 or sentenced to five days’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court here today after pleading guilty to possessing equipment believed to be used for criminal activities.
Mohd Zulkarnain, 25, from Kampung Semarang, entered his plea before Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan.
According to the charge, Mohd Zulkarnain was found to have abandoned a Perodua Alza, his identity card, passport and housebreaking tools during a police raid.
The offence was committed in a bushy area near Jalan Pelabuhan Kuching at about 3.40 am on September 15, 2025.
He was charged under Section 37(1) of the Sarawak Minor Offences Ordinance 1958, which provides for a maximum jail term of three months or a fine of RM500, or both, upon conviction.
Based on the facts of the case, police were conducting ‘Ops Lejang’ at the time and went to the area following information about suspected cable theft activities.
Upon arrival, several men were seen burning cables but fled when they noticed the presence of the police.
Although efforts to apprehend all the suspects were unsuccessful, police found a vehicle and several items of equipment abandoned at the scene.
The accused was arrested on October 8, 2025, and investigations revealed that he failed to provide a reasonable explanation for possessing the items seized during the incident.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suariani, while Mohd Zulkarnain was unrepresented by counsel.
