SEMPORNA: Two undocumented men were each sentenced to five months’ jail by the Sessions Court in Tawau for having 170kg of cooking oil without a permit.
Felsing Bin Abdul Murin and Lichin Bin Felsing were charged under Regulation 3(1) of the Supply Control Regulations 1974 for engaging in the wholesale or retail trading of controlled goods, namely 170kg of cooking oil, without a licence or permission from the Controller of Supplies.
They committed the offence at 4.40pm on Feb 28 in the waters between Pulau Mataking and Pulau Boheyan.
Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya ordered the sentences to run from the date of their arrest.
The duo will also be referred to the Immigration Department after completing their jail terms.
The court ordered the 170kg of cooking oil to be sold, with the proceeds forfeited to the Government.
Other seized items, including a speedboat and a pump engine, were forfeited to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) under Section 26(1) of the Supply Control Act 1961.
The prosecution was conducted by KPDN Semporna branch prosecuting officer Samat Bin Mapiare @ Muparia. The two men were not represented.
Semporna KPDN branch head Satunlucy Lamioh @ Lamidah said the department would not compromise with individuals or syndicates involved in smuggling activities, adding that stern action would be taken to ensure supply stability and protect public interests.
