Youth fined for purchasing unlicensed public lottery tickets

KUCHING: The Magistrates’ Court here on Wednesday (Sept 4) imposed a fine of RM900, in default two weeks’ imprisonment, on a youth for purchasing unlicensed public lottery tickets last July.

The 20-year-old accused pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 9(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 before Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan.

Upon conviction, the offence is punishable by a fine not exceeding RM5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

According to the charge, the accused was alleged to have committed the offence at a 24-hour shop in Sentosa Parade Batu 7, Jalan Penrissen, at around 3.27pm on July 20.

Based on the facts of the case, a team of police officers conducted a raid at a convenience store and arrested the accused, who was suspected of being involved in illegal lottery gambling.

A mobile phone was seized during the inspection as it was believed to have been used for gambling activities.

The police also confiscated two pieces of paper with unlicensed public lottery numbers written on them and RM135 in cash.

The prosecution was conducted by prosecuting officer ASP Hisyam Junaidi while the accused was not represented by a lawyer.