In hot water: Loke (right) pleaded not guilty to the charge at the Ipoh Sessions Court.
IPOH: A company director has claimed trial to using controlled goods in her firm’s bitumen manufacturing operations without a permit.
Datuk Loke Mei Chan, 54, pleaded not guilty after the charge under Regulation 21 of the Control of Supplies Regulations, together with Section 22 (4) of the Control of Supplies Act, was read before Sessions Court judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad here yesterday.
Loke was alleged to have violated Rule 18(1) of the Regulations by using 19,546 litres of diesel in the running of the company’s business without a permit at the Tungzen Industrial Park in Kampung Kepayang, Batu Gajah, on Jan 13 at about 10.55am.
The offence is punishable under Section 22(2) of the same Act, which carries a fine of up to RM1mil or a maximum three years in jail or both, upon conviction.
The company, K2 Bitumen Sdn Bhd, was also charged with the same offence under Rule 21 of the same Regulations.
Loke also claimed trial on the company’s behalf.
They could face a fine of up to RM2mil, if found guilty.
Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Ministry deputy public prosecutor Syazwani Zawawi prosecuted while Loke was represented by lawyer Muhammad Iman Johar.
Judge Ainul set Sept 22 for mention.
Separately in the same courtroom, 24-year-old trader Zulhelmi Abdul Wahab also claimed trial to a charge of robbing and voluntarily causing hurt to a man in Jalan Gurdwara here last month.
The accused, who was charged under Section 394 of the Penal Code, was alleged to have committed the offence against one S. Thurisingam at about 8.30pm on July 10.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years’ jail, a fine or whipping.
Zulhelmi, who was unrepresented, requested a lower bail and said he had a family to care for, including three schoolgoing children and a one-year-old toddler.
Judge Ainul set bail at RM5,000 with one surety and fixed Sept 14 for mention.
DPP Mohammad Haiqal Asyraf Suhaimi prosecuted.
