A seasonal fruit trader in Malaysia has pleaded not guilty to stealing RM4.6m (US$978,307) worth of casino chips. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

A seasonal fruit trader in Malaysia stole casino chips worth over RM4.6m (US$978,307) from the Genting Highlands. Lee Kian Keong pled not guilty to breaking into a room at the property and taking 1,160 chips.

The authorities believe the 45-year-old entered the property’s Twilight 3 Room with three other people shortly after 7am on October 28. He is facing up to 14 years in prison if found guilty and could be subject to a fine or caning.

income is unstable due to his work as a seasonal durian trader

Keong’s defense team requested a bail lower than RM15,000 (US$3,190) as his income is unstable due to his work as a seasonal durian trader and he supports his mother financially. He got RM10,000 (US$2,127) bail and will need to appear in court next on July 26.

The three other individuals in the case pleaded not guilty in November.