JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA - Twelve grandmothers, who pleaded guilty to illegal gambling, had everyone in the magistrate's court in stitches when they asked for a lighter sentence because they were "senior citizens".

The women - Low Siew Ley, 50, Ng Ah Moi, 59, Chua Ah Siow, 59, Lee Chai Lay, 54, Low Siok Lui, 60, Chu Ah Moy, Kuan Ah Moy, 61, Kee Bak Lim, 61, Siaw Moi, 62, Leong Kwai Lan, 65, Eng Su Giam, 69 and Kan Po Choo, 70 - were charged with committing the offence at a location in Jalan Harimau Tarum, Taman Century.

They had allegedly played Chi-nese poker with bets amounting to RM135, using Chinese Seo Sip cards on April 1.

When Magistrate Fuad Abdul Aziz asked if they wanted to appeal for a lighter sentence, all the accused, who were unrepresented, spoke up, saying that they were senior citizens.

"Since the youngest accused is 50, I will consider a lighter sentence," Fuad said before slapping them with a RM500 fine each or a one-week imprisonment in lieu of the fine.

They all paid the fine.

Under the Open Gambling House Act, they could have been fined up to RM5,000 or jailed up to six months, or both.

The Star/Asia News Network