Chinese national fined RM3,000 over attempted wallet theft at Penang airport

On September 25, a 55-year-old Chinese man, Chen Bangjun, was fined RM3,000 after pleading guilty to attempting to steal a wallet from a man's backpack at Penang International Airport, according to Harian Metro. The incident occurred at the airport in Bayan Lepas between 9:25 am and 10 am on September 17. Chen faced the charge in Mandarin before Magistrate Chia Huey Ting at the Magistrate’s Court in Balik Pulau.

The charges were under Section 379 of the Penal Code, which prescribes a jail term of up to seven years, a fine, or both upon conviction for theft. Section 511 covers attempts to commit offences, with a maximum jail term equivalent to half the sentence for the actual offence. Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Sofi Jaafar requested a sentence that would deter others from similar acts, while defense lawyer Teh Yi Kai asked for a reduced sentence, citing Chen's unemployment and expressed remorse after spending nine days in custody.

Chen admitted to the attempted theft, stating it was driven by greed. The court imposed the RM3,000 fine, with the alternative being three months in prison if the fine was unpaid.