JUDGMENT

Shahnaz Sulaiman JC:

Introduction

[1] This is an appeal by the appellants against the decision of the Magistrate's Court in convicting and sentencing the appellants from a charge under subsection 6(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 .

[2] At the conclusion of the hearing, this Court dismissed the appeal. This is the grounds of decision containing the full reasons for the decision of this Court.

Background

The Charge

[3] The charge against the appellants was framed as follows:

"Bahawa kamu dengan niat bersama pada 21 February 2021 jam lebih kurang 3.45 petang di rumah No 3122 Lorong Cendana 2 Taman Desa, dalam daerah Mersing, dalam Negeri Johor, telah berjudi di rumah perjudian terbuka, oleh yang demikian kamu telah melakukan suatu kesalahan di bawah s 6(1) Akta Rumah Judi Terbuka 1953 dan boleh dihukum di bawah seksyen yang sama dan dibaca bersama-sama s 34 Kanun Keseksaan."

Proceedings At Magistrate's Court

[4] At the Magistrate's Court on 31 March 2021, the charge was read out and explained to all 19 of the appellants. All the 19 appellants pleaded guilty to the charge. The learned Magistrate being satisfied that all 19 of the appellants understood the nature of the charge