Bandar Seri Begawan - Two local men were sentenced to fines after they pleaded guilty to gambling before the Magistrate's Court yesterday in the capital.

Fifty-one-year-old Sahari bin Hj Tengah received $1,000 fine or to serve a month's jail in default, while 44-yearold Awang Haji Rosli bin Haji Nudin was fined $5,000 or to serve five months' jail in default.

Nearing midnight on May 15, 2012, tipped-off police personnel from the Anti-Vice and Gambling Suppression Unit raided a house at Perumahan Negara Kg Mentiri on suspicion of gambling activities.

During the raid, police arrested the defendant and found $6 on the table near the long', $5 on the 'katam-katam' cloth, $70 on the table, $47 inside a Jacob 'cream cracker tin which was put under the table, two decks of black playing cards near the wall, a long' containing three dice and one 'katam-katam' cloth on the table, 14 dice and two long' inside a green bag kept under the table, one Kenwood walkie-talkie, one Nokia 6120C mobile phone on the table and one Nokia N82 mobile phone and charger near the table.

A body search was then conducted on both defendants and resulted in the discovery of $402 inside Haji Rosli's bag, $40 inside the right, front pocket of Sahari, $90 inside the left, front pocket of Sahari and $1,258 inside a pouch belonging to Sahari.

Investigation revealed that the money discovered were not to be used for gambling.

An expert has confirmed that the seized items are used to play the game of 'katam-katam'.

Investigation also revealed that Sahari had provided small change to the players for when they need to break $10. He attempted to run away when the police raided the place but the police personnel managed to arrest him. Sahari was also playing that night.

During investigations, it was revealed that Haji Rosli owned the house and he admitted that the place has been used for gambling for almost three weeks before the raid.

On record, the defendants have no previous convictions.

DPP Dk Didi Pg Latiff prosecuted the case.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin