By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Sept 4: A pawnshop counter worker pleaded not guilty today to defrauding his employer through a scheme that allegedly combined counterfeit gold items with a stolen identity to unlock more than RM131,000 in loans.
The 27-year-old entered his plea before Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali after the charge was read out in open court.
Prosecutors allege that between November 8, 2025, and July 20, 2026, the accused, who worked at the counter of a gold pawnshop along Jalan Market, used fake gold pieces together with another person’s identification to obtain pawn loans totalling RM131,420.
The money, according to the charge, was diverted for his own personal use rather than any genuine pledge transaction.
The offence falls under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment on conviction of one to ten years’ imprisonment, whipping, and a fine.
After the plea was recorded, the court fixed bail at RM4,000 in cash with two local sureties, allowing the accused to be released pending further proceedings.
The matter has been scheduled for a case management mention on October 5.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan is leading the prosecution. — DayakDaily
