SIBU: A 43-year-old Indonesian man has been fined RM10,000 or ten months jail in default by the Simanggang Sessions Court for illegally transporting nine subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders out of Sarawak.
Sessions Court Judge Intan Nurul Fareena imposed the fine on Juli Toni from Putussibau, West Kalimantan, on Wednesday (March 12) after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 20(8) of the Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016 (Chapter 72).
This section carries a fine of not less than RM10,000 and not exceeding RM100,000, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
According to prosecuting officers Inspector Johny Ikau and Inspector Paddril Peter of the State Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS), representing the Utility and Telecommunication Ministry (MUT), Juli was detained by a team of General Operations Force (GOF) officers at a byway locally known as 'Jalan John' near the international border in Lubok Antu at about 9am on March 4.
His accomplice managed to evade arrest and escaped to Indonesia.
Based on the facts, Juli was found with two foreign-registered motorcycles modified to carry nine subsidised LPG cylinders.
During mitigation, Juli expressed remorse and pleaded for a minimal fine, citing his responsibility to provide for his family in Indonesia.
The court also ordered that all the seized cylinders be forfeited to MUT for disposal.
Several officers from the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (Enforcement and Legal Division) were present during the proceedings.
