KUCHING: The Magistrates’ Court here find a man RM1,400, in default three months’ imprisonment, for purchasing unlicensed public lottery tickets on Dec 12.
Mohd Hairulnizam Omar, 36, pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 9(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 before Magistrate Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Alwi.
If convicted, the offence carries a maximum fine of RM5,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
According to the charge, he committed the offence at a 24-hour coffee shop in MJC Batu Kawa at around 4.15pm on Dec 12.
Case facts revealed that a police team conducted a raid at the coffee shop and detained the accused, who was suspected of participating in illegal lottery purchases.
During the inspection, a mobile phone believed to have been used for gambling activities was seized.
Additionally, a piece of paper containing unlicensed lottery numbers and RM199 in cash were confiscated.
Investigations confirmed that the mobile phone contained unlicensed public lottery numbers.
The case was prosecuted by ASP Arman Ibrahim while the accused was unrepresented.
