MIRI : A man in his 30s was sentenced to a fine of RM12,158,400 in default thereof to serve 18 months imprisonment after he was found guilty by the Magistrate Court here today.
Jong Chung Ang, 32 from Luak, Miri was found to have committed the offence of conveying prohibited goods under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967, at Kuala Baram 3 years ago.
Magistrate Zuraini Ali Musa also ordered the following goods seized to be forfeited to the Government:
- 1,894 boxes ×50 Cartons × 20 sticks of ERA brand cigarettes valued at RM715,200 with Customs duties and taxes amounting RM5,728,752 involved (comprising of RM1,788,000 in Import Duties, RM3,576,000 in Excise Duties and RM364,752 in GST).
- A cargo lorry valued at RM50,000.00, used in the commission of the offence (conveying the cigarettes).
Sarawak Royal Malaysian Customs Director, Dato’ Sharifah Halimah Binti Tuanku Taha in a statement today said as far as their records show, this is the highest ever fine imposed by the court involving Customs cases in Sarawak.
She congratulated all parties especially the officers involved in the successful prosecution of the case.
Meanwhile the accused, who is represented by three senior lawyers led by Arthur Lee was released on an increased bail of RM100,000 pending appeal against the conviction and sentence to the High Court.
However the court allowed the application by the Prosecution that the cash bail amounting to RM50,000 be deposited with the court.
Meanwhile, the other lawyers representing the accused were SH Lim and Zal Hii Sieng Ting whilst the department senior prosecutor, Senior Assistant Director of Customs, Thomas Abun Nyambong prosecuted.