Kota Kinabalu: A caretaker of an entertainment outlet was fined RM4,500, or four months’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court, here, on Wednesday for operating a premises without a licence.
Goh Meng Ern, 38, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus to committing the offence at 3.30am on Jan 24 this year at Empire KTV, Pavilion Bundusan, Penampang.
He was charged under Section 3 of the Public Entertainment Ordinance 1958, punishable under Section 11 of the same Ordinance, which provides for a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both, upon conviction.
According to the prosecution, a police team inspected the premises and found loud music still being played. Officers identified themselves and discovered that Goh, acting as caretaker, was operating the outlet without a valid licence.
Represented by counsel Darren N. Punai, Goh appealed for a non-custodial sentence, while the prosecution urged the court to impose a deterrent penalty.
In a separate case, a 37-year-old woman was fined RM100, or seven days’ jail in default, for failing to explain money found in her bank account.
Haziah Kutih admitted she could not provide a reasonable explanation for RM800 traced to her Alliance Bank account, which was linked to transactions involving a complainant identified as Rozarina Janin.
The offence took place at KK Times Square on Sept 4, 2023.
She was charged under Section 22A(1) of the Minor Offences Ordinance (Sabah), which carries a fine of up to RM100, imprisonment of up to three months, or both, upon conviction.
The court heard that the complainant had been duped by an online part-time job scam received via WhatsApp promising lucrative returns.
She completed assigned tasks and transferred money into multiple bank accounts, expecting commissions.
However, she later realised she had been deceived after being asked to make further payments without receiving any returns.
Investigations traced RM800 from the transactions to Haziah’s account, for which she failed to give a satisfactory explanation.
Unrepresented, Haziah pleaded for leniency, while the prosecution sought a deterrent sentence. Inspector Mohamad Hamidi Mohamad Hamzah prosecuted the case.
