Five Charged With Illegal Possession Of 20,250 Litres Of Diesel

SEREMBAN, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Five men were charged in Sessions Court today with possessing 20,250 litres of diesel without a licence last year.

The accused - S. Rajakumar, 35; V. Maran, 23; E. Kunaal, 23; R. Poobalan, 44; and S. Kalithas, 31, are jointly charged with having possession of the controlled item, amounting to 955 litres, 3,424 litres, and 15,871 litres, which were stored in a bulk storage tank and two separate tankers.

The offence, suspected to involve the illegal retail distribution of diesel, is alleged to have occurred at a premises in Mukim Labu around 4.30 pm Feb 20, 2024, in violation of Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.

The charge, framed under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, carries penalties of up to RM1 million in fines, up to three years’ imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.

The five accused pleaded not guilty. Rajakumar faces two charges, while the others each face one.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s (KPDN) deputy public prosecutor Irwan Shah Abdul Samat, proposed bail of RM10,000 for each charge with one local surety, and the additional conditions that they surrender their passports, report to the KPDN office monthly, and refrain from contacting witnesses.

The accused, who were unrepresented, requested lower bail, citing financial constraints, family responsibilities and unemployment.

The court set bail at RM5,000 for each charge, with one local surety, upheld the additional conditions and fixed Nov 4 for document submission and appointment of legal counsel.

-- BERNAMA