Kota Kinabalu: The Magistrate’s Court here fined a 34-year-old man RM4,500 or six months’ jail for operating entertainment premises without a licence.
Jenekoh Tiga pleaded guilty before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to committing the offence at the Elite premises, Aeropod Commercial Square, Jalan Kepayan, near here.
Jenekoh was found to be manning an entertainment business without a valid licence issued under Section 6 (1) of the Public Entertainment Ordinance (PEO) 1958.
He was charged under Section 4 of the PEO 1958 and punishable under Section 11 of the same Ordinance which provides for a fine of up to RM50,000 or up to one year jail, or both, on conviction.
The facts of the case presented by the prosecution stated that the police had raided the premises and found music being played and customers enjoying themselves.
The premises caretaker failed to produce a trading licence, and a check with City Hall confirmed that the Elite did not have a registered business licence with the Licensing Department of the City Mall, said the prosecution.
Jenekoh had applied for a reduced fine, explaining that it was his first time running a business.
He said since his shop’s goods were seized, he has ceased operating, but he still needs to cover the rental expenses while waiting for his business licence to be granted.
The court ordered the seized exhibits to be returned to its rightful owner.
In another case, a 22-year-old woman was ordered to pay a fine of RM1,200 or one month jail for engaging in an online gambling activity in public.
Nur Juliana Abdullah admitted to online gambling using a handphone on Nov 3, 2024, at 1.20pm, at a premises in Donggongon town, Penampang.
The charge, under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming House Act 1953, carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or a jail term of up to six months, or both, on conviction.
The prosecution, in tendering the facts of the case, said Juliana had been arrested by the police for her involvement in illegal gambling activities.
The police also seized RM75 in cash and a handphone used in the activity from her, said the prosecution.
Juliana requested a lenient sentence saying that she has a child.
The court ordered the seized money to be forfeited as government revenue.
Inspector Yusdi Basri prosecuted.
