KOTA KINABALU: The Magistrate’s Court here yesterday fixed October 8 to deliver its decison on the case of a man who was allegedly running an unlicensed moneylending activities.
Magistrate Norhamizah Shaifuddin set the date for judgement after the defence closed its case.
Hardy Celvin Tee Abdulah, 37, represented by counsel Dato’ Sri Rakhbir Singh, was charged with running an unlicensed money-lending company between February 2013 and October 2013 around 10am to 5pm in Keningau town.
His offence falls under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act of 1951 and carries a maximum fine of RM1 million, a maximum jail term of five years, or both.
The prosecution, led by deputy public prosecutor Chow Siang Kong has called in a total of 10 witnesses for the prosecution, while the defence has called in only one witness, who is the accused.
In a separate case, the Magistrate’s Court sentened a 36-year-old father to a total of two years in jail for two charges of dishonestly receiving a stolen property.
Deputy registrar of the High Court Ryan Sagiran Rayner Jr who presided as a magistrate, also ordered Rowel Yuntung @ Abd. Rahman Rusly to serve his prison terms consecutively.
Rowel pleaded guilty to the first offence which he committed on September 10, this year at the compound of the Papar police station at 2:30pm.
He had intended to keep a stolen Proton Iswara sedan belonging to 65-year-old man, Bakar @ Bagol Adani.
The undefended Rowel also pleaded guilty to being in possession of a stolen Perodua Kancil car, at an unnumbered house in Kampung Laut, Kinarut, Papar, which belonged to Chu Tze Feen, a 29-year-old woman.
Both offences fall under Section 411 of the Penal Code and are punishable by a maximum prison term of five years, as well as a fine.
In mitigation, Rowel requested a lighter sentence, due to the fact that he was concerned with the wellbeing of his young children, adding that his wife was not working.
Prosecuting officer, Inspector Syahrin Ali, called for a stern punishment.