Kota Kinabalu: Thirteen locals and one Chinese national were charged in the Magistrate’s Courts, here, Tuesday for operating a gambling premises.
All 14 pleaded not guilty before Magistrates Wan Farrah Fariza Wan Ghazali and Marilyn Kelvin to charges of jointly managing or assisting in managing a place used as a common gaming house on Oct 2 this year at 2.40pm.
The alleged offence occurred at the premises of Sinar Bayu Sdn Bhd Employment Agency in Wisma Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu.
The charge, brought under Section 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, carries a fine of up to RM50,000 and imprisonment of up to three years upon conviction.
Magistrate Wan Farrah set bail at RM1,200 each with two local sureties for most accused, except for the Chinese national, Zhou Pan, whose bail was fixed at RM3,000 with two local sureties.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Arfa Anchal Khan had initially proposed bail of RM10,000 each with several conditions.
However, counsel Luke Ressa Balang, representing nine of the accused, requested lower bail amounts, stating that his clients were cooperative during the investigation and had fixed local addresses.
Among those represented were Chong Tze Yong, Desmond Chong Khee Vun, Jack Fung Yee Chung, Raven Tang Leong Hong, and Zhou Pan. The court also orderedZhou Pan to surrender his international passport, if any.
The next mention date for this group was set for Nov 25.
For Wong Jun Kai, Jonathan Johnny, Emily Chia Su Jie, and Rebekah Wong Chee En, bail was set at RM1,500 each with two local sureties, with the next mention scheduled for Dec 3.
In a separate court session, five others — Chin Chu Fieng, Goh Kah Qian, Ng Wei Tyng, Ng Lun Feng, and Joshua Chong Tet Rong — were brought before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin.
Chin and Goh were released on RM1,200 bail each with two local sureties, while Ng Wei Tyng, Ng Lun Feng, and Joshua Chong received bail of RM1,500 each with two local sureties.
All five were ordered to report monthly to the investigating officer pending their next mention on Nov 25.
Inspector Yusdi Basri led the prosecution, while counsel Hairul Vaiyron Othman represented the five accused.
