Kuching man fined RM1,000 for purchasing illegal lottery tickets via mobile phone

KUCHING (July 2): A 41-year-old man was fined RM1,000 in default two weeks in jail by the Magistrates’ Court here today for purchasing illegal lottery tickets using his mobile phone.

Chok Lim Fong pleaded guilty before Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan after being charged under Section 9(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which carries a fine up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both, upon conviction.

Chok committed the offence at a premises in Matang Lang District, along Jalan Matang/Batu Kawa here at around 3pm on June 3.

According to the facts of the case, a police team conducted a check on Chok, who was seated at the premises’ counter table during the incident.

Upon inspection, the mobile phone handed over by Chok was found to contain elements believed to be related to illegal public lottery sales.

Police subsequently arrested Chok and seized the mobile phone, along with a piece of paper containing illegal lottery numbers and RM30 in cash.

An analysis confirmed that the seized items comprised a complete set of public lottery numbers, indicating that a purchase had been made.

Insp Nur Shafiqa Nyaie Ilin prosecuted the case while Chok was unrepresented by a lawyer.