Indonesian duo in Kuching fined RM10,000 each for dealing with gaming machines

KUCHING (July 17): Two Indonesians were each fined RM10,000 in default one month in jail by the Magistrates’ Court here today for dealing with 23 gaming machines.

Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi meted out the sentence against Berma Susana, 28, and Rudy Bong on their own guilty plea under Section 4B(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

The Section carries a fine of between RM10,000 and RM100,000 for each gambling machine seized, and a jail term of not more than five years, upon conviction.

Both of them committed the offence at a premises in Mile 4 1/2, Jalan Penrissen here at around 11.45pm on July 3, 2024.

Based on the facts of the case, a team of police raided the premises and arrested Berma and Bong.

Further checks found that Berma was working as a slot machine technician while Bong was a cashier at the premises.

The police also found a few slot machines, ‘sun wukong’ games and other items used for illegal online gaming.

Investigations revealed that Berma did not have a valid travel document and the Immigration Department found no recent record of her entry.

As for the offence of entering the state illegally, Berma was fined RM5,000 in default four months in jail by the Sessions Court here.

Judge Musli Ab Hamid convicted Berma after she pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, punishable under Section 6(3) of the same Act.

The indictment carries a fine of not less than RM10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.

The cases were prosecuted separately by deputy public prosecutor Norshafatihah Nor Azmi and ASP Arman Ibrahim.

Berma was represented by counsel, while Bong did not have legal representation.