TWO individuals were each fined RM30,000 by the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court today for possessing 7,135kg of cooking oil in wholesale amounts without a licence last year.

Judge Jamaludin Mat meted out the fine on Yeo Yi Jin, 25, and R. Jeevakumar, 48, after they pleaded guilty to the charge.

The court also ordered both the accused to be jailed for a year if they fail to pay the fine. Both of them paid the fine.

The duo were charged with possessing scheduled controlled items, namely 7,135kg of cooking oil, in a state of reasonable suspicion at premises in Taman Equine, Seri Kembangan at 9.30pm on August 12 last year.

The charge was framed under section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, punishable under section 22(1) of the same act and read together with section 34 of the penal code, which provides for a maximum fine of RM1 million or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, upon conviction.

According to the facts of the case, the investigation by the authorities found that the premises had been rented by Yeo and used by Jeevakumar to carry out activities of misappropriation of subsidised and controlled goods with the woman’s consent.

Deputy public prosecutor from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry Nor Alimah Mohd Sanusi prosecuted while both the accused were represented by lawyer R. Thri Chelvam. – Bernama, August 3, 2022.