Kota Kinabalu: A 22-year-old man was on Wednesday fined RM4,500 or six months jail for assisting unlicensed moneylending activity last year.
Mohd Edwin Chung Abdullah pleaded guilty before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to committing the offence by offering loans without approval on Nov 26, 2024, in Penampang.
Chung changed his plea to guilty to the charge under Section 29AA of the Moneylenders Act 1951, which carries a jail term of up to two years or fine of up to RM20,000 or both on conviction.
The facts of the case presented by prosecuting officer Inspector Yusdi Basri stated that Chung was arrested by police following information and intelligence gathered.
A check on Chung found that his mobile phone contained evidence of illegal moneylending activities.
Duty counsel Lim Ming Zoong @ Lawrence, who represented Chung, requested a lenient fine, citing that he was married with one child, was currently unemployed, and had changed his plea to guilty to the charge.
The prosecution applied a deterrent sentence.
In another case, a 30-year-old woman was charged with trespassing into a company office three years ago.
Chong Pui Ting pleaded not guilty to committing the offence at Syarikat Sering Hijau Sdn Bhd belonging to one Loh Ho Joo at Lintas Jaya Uptownship, Kepayan on Feb 28, 2022, at 10.30am.
The charge is framed under Section 448 of the Penal Code.
The court fixed April 15 for pre-trial case management and released the accused on a bail of RM1,800 in one surety.