The Court of Appeal reinstated a 12-month default jail term for two men convicted of transporting prohibited imported goods worth RM145,440
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal today reinstated a 12-month default jail sentence for two men who failed to pay a fine of RM1.1 million each.
A three-member bench partially allowed the appeals by company director Chan Wah Chuan and lorry driver Joseph Onod.
The court set aside a High Court decision that had increased their default jail term to six years.
Justices Datuk Azmi Ariffin, Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz and Datuk Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid dismissed the appellants’ appeal against their conviction.
The bench ruled that the enhancement of the default sentence by the High Court was excessive.
Lawyer S R Raman confirmed his clients cannot pay the fine and will serve the 12-month prison term.
The three months they have already served in prison will be credited toward their sentence.
The Magistrate’s Court had originally convicted both men on August 30, 2023 for transporting prohibited imported goods valued at RM145,440.
They were found transporting 2,304 boxes and 120 boxes of Maximus X-Strong Beer.
The offence occurred at KM45 of the Shah Alam Highway heading towards Sri Petaling on September 14, 2018.
The High Court had upheld the fine but enhanced the default imprisonment to six years on August 27, 2024.
Both accused had been released on bail of RM100,000 each with two sureties pending their appeal.
They were also ordered to surrender their passports and report monthly to the nearest police station. – Bernama
