He Dapeng, 51, and Xin Min, 61, pleaded guilty to the charge of theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to seven years’ jail, a fine, or both upon conviction.

Dapeng was charged with stealing RM2,000 belonging to a 33-year-old Malaysian man between 8.20am and 8.40am on Nov 21.

Xin Min was charged with stealing RM200 and 24,000 Taiwan dollars (about RM3,300) belonging to a 31-year-old Malaysian man.

Deputy public prosecutor R Lushani asked the court to impose a deterrent sentence, saying the pair must learn not to repeat the offence although the stolen money was recovered and returned to the victims.

Lawyer Yusuf Idris sought a minimal fine for the accused, saying they both had children and had promised to return to China as soon as the case was disposed of.

Yusuf added that they had saved the court’s time by pleading guilty.

Magistrate Chia Huey Ting then fined Dapeng RM2,000 and Xin Min RM3,700. Failure to pay the fines will result in three months’ jail.