SIBU: Two men were each fined RM3,000, in default three months’ imprisonment, by the Magistrates’ Court here on Tuesday (Aug 5) for committing theft.
Mohamad Azaruddin, 35, from Kampung Sepupok, Niah, and Mohammad Suhaiman, 24, of Sungai Lengan, Sibu, pleaded guilty to the joint charge, which was read and explained to them through an interpreter.
Both men understood and accepted the consequences of maintaining their guilty plea before Magistrate Romario Jonoi.
According to the charge, the two had dishonestly taken cables belonging to Sarawak Energy Berhad without its consent, from near an unnumbered house along Lebaan Road in the Bawang Assan area, between 12.30am and 1.30am on Aug 1.
They were charged under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft, which carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison, a fine, or both upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, Sesco received information from a local resident around 9.50pm on July 31, reporting that he had witnessed individuals stealing cables in front of his house along Lebaan Road.
Acting on the tip-off, the complainant, together with members of the Sesco auxiliary police and a police team, proceeded to the scene.
Upon arrival, they caught the accused in the act of stealing Sesco-owned cables from an electric pole.
The two men were arrested on the spot, and the stolen items were seized. They were then taken to the Central Police Station for further action.
Deputy public prosecutor Haris Danial prosecuted the case. As both accused were unrepresented and unable to pay the fine, they are required to serve the default sentence.
