KOTA KINABALU: The magistrate’s court here yesterday convicted four men on a joint charge of gambling.
Filipinos, Abdul Hatih Sabturani, 43, and Asgali Kandawing, 50, were each jailed for five months while Salatun Baninil, 55, and Zulkifli Wara, 46, both locals, were fined RM1,500 each, in default, five months’ imprisonment.
They pleaded guilty before Magistrate Ryan Sangiraan Rayner Jr to their charge framed under Section 7 (1) of the Common House Gambling Act which is punishable by a maximum fine of RM5,000 or a jail term of up to six months or both, upon conviction.
The four accused persons were caught for gambling ‘Tongit’ using cards in front of a house in Kampung Numbak, Menggatal on Sept 10. The magistrate ordered Abdul Hatih and Asgali to be referred to the Immigration Department after serving sentence for further action.
In a separate case, Botao Chin of China was charged in the same court with stealing RM300 in cash belonging to a woman at a house at Taman Huatt in Luyang at 1.50pm on Sept 9.
The 28-year-old accused, who had allegedly committed the offence with an accomplice still at large, was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code.
The indictment carries a maximum jail term of seven years and also liable to a fine, upon conviction.
The court set Oct 10 to re-mention the case and the accused was denied bail. In an unrelated case, 22-year-old Melvin Darrel Bokuti was jailed for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to stealing seven iron rods worth RM50 at Wawasan Plaza bus terminal on Sept 10.
He was convicted under Section 379 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to seven years and also liable to a fine, upon conviction.
Inspector Syahrin Ali prosecuted.