Frenneley Eyan Fined RM1,000 After Guilty Plea to Online Gambling Charge
A magistrates’ court in Kota Kinabalu has issued fines to two women in separate cases involving online gambling and unexplained financial holdings, underscoring ongoing enforcement of Malaysia’s Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and related financial conduct laws.
26-year-old Frenneley Eyan was fined RM1,000 (approximately US$210) after pleading guilty to participating in online gambling activities. The incident occurred following a police raid on KP CAF, a premises situated along Lorong Bunga Tanjung 2, where authorities observed her actively engaging in a gambling application referred to as “Wa Hui” via a mobile device.
Police detained Frenneley at approximately 3:30 p.m. during the inspection. Upon being brought before Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus, she acknowledged the offence under Section 9(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. The law provides for financial penalties of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for as long as six months. Frenneley, who did not have legal representation during the proceedings, appealed for leniency, citing that the violation was her first encounter with the law. The court ultimately imposed a fine of RM1,000 with a default custodial sentence of two months if payment is not made.
In a separate matter adjudicated at the same hearing, 39-year-old Dina Mustika Tahang was fined RM100 (approximately US$21) for being in possession of RM1,128 (US$236) that she could not legally account for. The funds were determined to be the property of another woman, identified as Anjelin Mojumpah. Prosecution records state that Dina was unable to provide a credible explanation regarding the transfer of funds into her bank account.
Dina pled guilty to the charge under Section 22A(1) of the Minor Offences Ordinance, which carries maximum penalties of RM100, a jail term of up to three months, or both. As with Frenneley, the defendant asked the court for leniency and received the minimum fine allowable. Should the fine remain unpaid, a default imprisonment period of seven days will apply.
Inspector Mohamad Hamidi B. Hamzah represented the prosecution in both cases, which reflect a continued emphasis on regulatory and criminal enforcement against illegal gambling operations and questionable financial activity. The cases arrive amid growing scrutiny of online gambling practices and financial transparency in Sabah and across Malaysia.
