Four Charged With Illegal Possession Of Over 4,700 Kg Cooking Oil

SEREMBAN, April 10 (Bernama) -- A local man and three Myanmar nationals, including one woman, were charged at the Sessions Court here today with illegally possessing more than 4,000 kg of cooking oil on Tuesday.

The accused are Chong Sze Thong, 52, and Myanmar nationals Thung Khaw, 27, Moe Myint Weh Yan, 17, and Nan Thet Khin, 32.

Chong pleaded not guilty. No plea was recorded for the other three, however, after the charge was read before Judge Mohamad Kamil Nizam.

All four are accused of jointly possessing approximately 4,705 kg of cooking oil, a scheduled item, under circumstances that raised reasonable suspicion. The offence allegedly took place at an unnamed premises in Kampung Bharu Mantin at 12.15 pm on April 7.

They were charged under Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 for dealing in cooking oil wholesale without a licence.

They were charged under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which carries a maximum fine of RM1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both upon conviction.

Prosecuting officer Azmil Aspara from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) offered bail of RM10,000 with one surety and requested a later date for the case mention for the three Myanmar nationals. He added that no bail was offered to them.

Chong’s lawyer Mohd Amin Arsan requested bail of RM5,000, saying his client works as a lorry driver earning between RM3,000 and RM3,500, and supports his wife, two children, mother and aunt. 

The court granted Chong bail of RM5,000 with one surety, ordering him to surrender his passport, report to the KPDN office monthly, and not interfere with witnesses.

The court set April 27 for case mention, including the submission of documents and a chemist's report for Chong, as well as the appointment of a Myanmar interpreter for the other three accused.

-- BERNAMA