KUCHING, April 2: A businessman has been fined RM10,000 or faces six months in prison by the Sessions Court here today for possessing subsidised diesel amounting to 500 litres in Siburan last year.
Firdaus Khan Safawi pleaded guilty before Judge Musli Ab Hamid after being charged under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which carries penalties under Subsection 22(1) of the same Act.
This section provides for a fine not exceeding RM1 million or imprisonment for up to three years or both, upon conviction.
Musli also directed for Firdaus’ vehicle and the diesel to be handed over to the authorities.
Firdaus committed the offense at a petrol station at Batu 17, Siburan, along the Kuching-Serian Road, around 8.40 pm on October 11, 2023.
Based on the facts of the case, a team of officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) Sarawak detained a 30-year-old man and seized 500 litres of diesel stored in a van.
Diesel, being a controlled item under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, requires proper authorisation for possession and distribution.
Investigations into the matter revealed that the detained individual was an employee of Firdaus, and the purchase of the diesel was conducted under Firdaus’ instructions.
A check conducted by KPDN officers found that Firdaus did not possess any license or permit to handle the controlled item.
The seized diesel also received government subsidies and was purchased by Firdaus’ employee at petrol stations in the Serian and Kuching areas.
The prosecution was handled by DPP Nor Azhari Yusof, while Firdaus was not represented by a defense attorney. — DayakDaily
