Ahmad Mukhsein Mukhtar
ALOR STAR: Two Thai nationals today claimed trial at the Sessions Court here on separate charges of unlawful possession of 160 litres of subsidised petroleum without a valid licence at the Durian Burung Malaysia-Thailand border checkpoint in Padang Terap on Saturday.
The accused, Phatcharee Hama, 38, and Abdulloh Saleesing, 21, from Songkhla, Thailand, entered the plea when the charges were read by an interpreter before Judge Noor Zaihan Mohamad Ali.
Phatcharee is charged with having in her possession scheduled controlled goods, namely 60 litres of petrol.
The petrol was found in a modified fuel tank of a Malaysian-registered vehicle, bearing the registration number KBA 5995.
Meanwhile, Abdulloh is charged with having in his possession scheduled controlled goods, namely 100 litres of petrol found in a modified tank hidden under the rear seat of a Malaysian-registered vehicle, bearing the registration number PFE 290.
They allegedly committed the offences at about 11.45am on July 29 at a roadblock near the Malaysia-Thailand border checkpoint in Durian Burung, Padang Terap.
The charges were framed under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and is punishable under Section 22 (1) of the same act.
Both are staring at a fine of up to RM1 million or imprisonment of not more than three years or both, upon conviction.
Prosecution against Phatcharee was handled by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry prosecution officer Mohd Hilmi Abu Hassan, while Abdulloh was prosecuted by the ministry's prosecution officer Mohd Sayuti Ismayatim.
The court fixed bail at RM10,000 each for both accused with two local citizen sureties and set Sept 4 for mention date. Both accused later posted bail.