Four Korean men claim trial over illegal gaming machines in Kuching

KUCHING (Jan 19): Four Korean nationals previously charged with dealing with illegal gaming machines claimed trial at the Magistrates’ Court here on Monday.

A charge under Section 4B(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 was read to them separately before Magistrates Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali, Ling Hui Chuan, and Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan.

After all four men— two aged 27 and the other two aged 28 — pleaded not guilty, the court fixed March 5 for pre-trial case management and allowed each bail of RM3,000, deposited, with two local sureties.

The magistrates also ordered that that their passports be surrendered to the prosecution.

According to the charge, all four are alleged to have dealt with separate gaming machines, described as computer sets, at a business premises in a condominium complex along Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Ahmad Zaidi Adruce at around 2pm on Jan 7.

The section provides for a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of between RM10,000 and RM100,000 for each gaming machine seized, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutors Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly and Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan, together with prosecuting officer Insp Nur Syafiqa Nyaie Illin, appeared separately for the prosecution.

All four accused were represented by counsel Yong Suk Hui.