Eight Fishermen Claim Trial To Possessing Subsidised Diesel Without Valid Licence

PASIR MAS, June 4 (Bernama) -- Eight fishermen pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to the charge of possessing more than 19,836 litres of subsidised diesel without a valid licence in April.

The accused Mohd Raffi Ramli, 47; Haziq Haiqal Bahrom, 24; Zawawi Zakaria, 48; Mohd Shahrul Azan Ismail, 39; Mohd Zurin Yahya, 51; Muhammad Nor Haffizi Azhar, 24; Muhamad Haika Dalwis, 22; and Ahmad Fahami Sukrie Mohamad, 33 made the plea after the charges were read in front of Judge Zulkpli Abdullah.

According to the charges read separately, they were accused of possessing a scheduled controlled item, diesel fuel amounting to 19,836.768 litres, in circumstances that could raise reasonable suspicion at Pengkalan Nazori Kampung Geting, Tumpat between 4.53 and 4.55 pm on April 12.

The charges were filed under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which can be punished under Section 22(1) of the same act, providing for a maximum fine of RM1 million or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

The prosecution was handled by deputy public prosecutor of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Siti Edabayu Subhan along with prosecuting officer Muhammadi Iman Masjuri, while all the accused were represented by lawyer Mohd Azrul Hasyimi Mohammad.

Muhammadi Iman had requested RM20,000 bail for each charge against the accused, considering the serious nature of the case involving controlled goods and public interest. However, Mohd Azrul Hasyimi requested minimum bail be granted as they no longer have any income after the boat used was seized.

The court then allowed Muhamad Haika and Ahmad Fahami Sukrie to be released on bail of RM4,000, while the other six accused were granted bail of RM10,000 each with one surety. The court has set July 2 for a case mention for document submission.

-- BERNAMA