That is one hefty fine!
Just recently, a senior citizen named Ramlah Drahaman was slapped with a whopping RM100,000 fine for selling contraband cigarettes that are worth a lot lesser than the fine. The sentence was meted out in Kuala Terengganu Magistrate’s Court on 25 February.
According to Sinar Harian, a raid was carried out at the 56-year-old grandma’s shop in Kampung Chendering, Terengganu because she was suspected of taking part in selling illegal cigarettes. The officials managed to find various brands of contraband products from her shop and she had failed to produce any document proving that the cigarettes were duty-paid.
When being charged in court on 14 January, she pleaded guilty for selling the products that were estimated to be worth about RM824.32. As such, Ramlah was charged under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which landed her a fine of RM100,000. If she fails to pay the fine, she could face six months of imprisonment.
Source: Sinar Harian
Admittedly, this news has shocked many netizens as the amount wasn’t exactly little, but the punishment meted out is actually in accordance with the law. Some also said the punishment is a tad too harsh for a 56-year-old grandma, but they should understand that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law.
Hopefully, she can settle the fine and avoid going behind bars!
Also read: M’sian Government Shockingly Loses RM5 Billion Every Year Due to Contraband Cigarettes
