Five influencers claim trial to promoting gambling premises

KUALA LUMPUR: Five social media influencers have been charged at two Magistrate’s Courts here with promoting gambling premises on their social media platforms.

Aileen Koh Ooi Leng, 29, Hayatunnuffus Zakariya, 32, Nurul Syifa Aliya Adanan, 21, Nurazalina Mustafa, 28, and Noor Shahnez Marzuani, 22, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read before Magistrates Aina Azahra Arifin and Illi Marisqa Khalizan on Wednesday (July 10).

Before Aina Azahra, Hayatunnuffus was alleged to have announced or published by way of promoting gambling premises on her Instagram account by inviting or deceiving people to gamble in a common gaming house at a restaurant in Cheras here at 9am on June 13.

The charge under Section 4(1)(g) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 carries a fine of between RM5,000 and RM50,000 and a maximum imprisonment of three years, if convicted.

Koh was charged with promoting online gambling in a public place at a restaurant in Sentul here at 8.23am on the same date under Section 8(1) of the same Act.

It carries a fine of between RM20,000 and RM200,000 and a maximum imprisonment of five years, if found guilty.

Prosecuting officers Asst Supt Nom Phot Prack Dit offered RM5,000 bail for Hayatunnufus and Koh, but lawyers Azlan Abdul Razak and V. Varunnath asked for lower bail on the grounds that their clients did not have a regular income.

Magistrate Aina Azahra allowed bail of RM4,000 with one surety for each accused and fixed Aug 15 and 26 for their cases to be mentioned again.

Before Magistrate Illi Marisqa, Noor Shahnez was charged with announcing or publishing by way of promoting an online gambling platform on her Instagram account to invite or deceive any person to gamble at a common gaming house at a restaurant in Taman Maluri here at 9.30am on June 13.

Nurul Syifa and Nurazalina were charged with helping to carry out online gambling promotions through their Instagram accounts using two mobile phones at the Gambling Prevention Unit Office D7 at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre in Wangsa Maju, at 7am and 7.30am respectively on the same date.

The three women were charged under Section 4(1)(g) of the Act which provides for a fine of between RM5,000 and RM50,000 and a maximum imprisonment of three years, if convicted.

DPP Hamizah Hisan offered bail of RM15,000 for each accused, but lawyers Mohd Rhastdan Abdul Wahab, Meor Khusyairi from the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) and A. Krishnaveni asked for minimum bail given that their clients have a low income and are the sole breadwinners of their respective families.

The court allowed each accused bail of RM5,000 with one surety and set next Aug 15 for next mention of their cases. – Bernama