KOTA KINABALU: Six foreign nationals have been sentenced to one year's jail each by the Sandakan Sessions Court for possessing 41,000 litres of petrol without a licence.
The men, aged between 25 and 45, pleaded guilty before Sessions judge Zaini Fishir @ Fisal on Tuesday (Sept 10).
The offence was committed in Kampung Cenderamata, Sandakan, at 9pm on Aug 21 last year.
They were arrested during a raid by the General Operations Force (GOF) while their vessel was docked at Kampung Cenderamata.
The accused could not provide the required documentation for the controlled petrol.
Judge Zaini ordered the forfeiture of the vessel, MT Rahmah, and associated equipment.
Additionally, proceeds from the sale of the seized petrol will be confiscated by the Malaysian government.
DPP Md Syafique Md Hilmie from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry led the prosecution, with legal representation for the accused provided by Tan Arthur Borine & Partners.
In a separate case, three men pleaded guilty at the Tawau Sessions Court before judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya for the illegal trading of 225 litres of petrol in nine jerrycans, either wholesale or retail, without a licence.
Razif Maek, 39, Herman Hassan, 36, and Kalding Jabi, in his 40s, were charged under Section 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, punishable under Section 22(1) of the same Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
Under Section 22(1) of the Act, those convicted of such offences can face fines up to RM1mil or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
For subsequent offences, fines can reach RM3mil or jail of up to five years, or both.
For companies, fines can be up to RM2mil, and for repeat offences, up to RM5mil.
Judge Faizadh also fined Razif RM10,000 in default six months' jail.
Herman was fined RM6,000 in default four months' jail, while Kalding was jailed for four months and ordered to be deported after serving his sentence.
The prosecution, led by the ministry's Dr Jong Jee Leong, told the court that the trio were arrested during a raid by Semporna police at Kampung Senallang Lama at 7.30pm on Sept 3.
