GEORGE TOWN: A 53-year-old company chief executive officer claimed trial in the Sessions Court here on Thursday (Nov 5) to using a forged Customs declaration to reduce import duties on cosmetic products by more than RM30,000.
Sarudin Daud pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before Sessions Court judge Irwan Suainbon.
He was accused of knowingly using a forged import declaration form containing false information on cosmetic products belonging to Hairos Destiny Sdn Bhd.
According to the charge sheet, the document, dated Sept 12, 2024, was submitted through the Royal Malaysian Customs Department's Customs Information System.
The declaration allegedly understated the Customs duties payable on the imported products from RM55,632.19 to RM25,580.15, a difference of RM30,052.04.
The alleged offence took place on Sept 12, 2024, at the Flexi-Van Logistics Sdn Bhd office in Menara Northam, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah here.
Sarudin was charged under Section 471 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 465 of the same Code.
If convicted, he faces imprisonment of up to two years, a fine or both.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Nurul Atiqah Ab Rashid proposed bail of RM30,000 and requested that the accused surrender his passport to the court.
However, defence counsel K. Mahendran appealed for lower bail, saying Sarudin was married with three children and earned only RM1,800 a month.
He said Sarudin was the main breadwinner of his family.
Irwan subsequently allowed bail at RM10,000 with one surety and ordered Sarudin to surrender his passport to the court.
The court fixed Dec 14 for the next mention.
