TAWAU: A permanent resident was fined RM20,000 or jailed 15 months by the Sessions Court here after pleading guilty to possessing 1,725 litres of petrol without a valid permit in April.
Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya imposed the sentence on Indar Nasli, 33, after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Indar was found to have in his control 1,725 litres of petrol, a scheduled controlled item, under circumstances giving rise to reasonable suspicion at a house on stilts in Kg Labuan Aji, Pulau Bum Bum, Semporna, at about 2.30am on April 8.
The offence was committed under Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 for dealing in petrol, either by retail or wholesale, without a licence.
He was charged under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, punishable under Section 22(1) of the same Act, which provides for a fine of up to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
The court also ordered the 1,725 litres of seized petrol to be sold, with proceeds handed over to the government.
A blue wooden boat without a registration number and a 200-horsepower Yamaha outboard engine, also seized in connection with the case, were forfeited to the prosecution for disposal.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) prosecuting officer Samat Mapiare prosecuted.
Indar was unrepresented.
