Kota Kinabalu: The Magistrate’s Court, Friday, fined a 33-year-old man RM1,500 or a month’s jail for running an entertainment centre without a licence.
E-hailing driver Bahri Iskandar pleaded guilty before Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie to committing the offence at the LH Studio, Bornion Centre, Luyang at 7.20pm on Sept 29.
The facts of the case presented by the prosecution stated that found the outlet operating without a valid business licence from City Hall.
The owner was detained and the music equipment seized.
Unrepresented, Bahri requested a lenient sentence by stating that he did not have a steady source of income and is currently working as an e-hailing driver and also supports both his parents and younger sibling who is studying abroad.
Bahri said the offence occurred because of the delay from City Hall to approve the licence since October last year and that the studio is a platform for art enthusiasts around the city.
He added that the studio is still operating because the licence application was approved after the incident.
Bahri also applied for the music equipment to be returned as they were expensive and for them to continue their art activities.
Stephanie advised him to contact the investigating officer to make an application to the court regarding his application.
Bahri was charged under Section 3 of the Public Entertainment Ordinance 1958 which provides for a fine of up to RM50,000 or up to one year jail or both, on conviction.
Meanwhile, an unemployed man was jailed 12 months for stealing a motorcycle.
Nulasbi Rosman, 27, admitted before Magistrate Wan Farrah Farriza Wan Ghazali to stealing a Honda Ex5 belonging to Redzuan Nor at 1.49am on Oct 2 in front of Jetsin Shop, Bandaran Berjaya.
The charge under Section 379A of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between one year and seven years and liability of a fine, on conviction.
Earlier the court was informed by the prosecution that the complainant found the machine missing while he was about to go to work at 6am on the said day and a check with the said shop’s video surveillance found a man, later identified as Nulasbi stolen it at 1.49am.
Nulasbi, who was not represented, requested a lenient sentence to take effect from his arrest while the prosecution applied for an adequate sentence.
In another case, a man who fraudulently had RM5,500 deposited into his bank account five years ago was fined RM100 or a day’s jail.
Jackson Koh admitted before Magistrate Stephanie to having the money in his Public Bank account, in which he failed to give a satisfactory explanation on how he obtained it on Nov 13, 2018.
The offence under Section 22A (1) of the Minor Offences Ordinance, provides a fine of up to RM100 or up to three months jail or both, on conviction.
Inspectors Suzie @ Stephanie Kupit and Albert Basiri prosecuted.
