Man fined RM5,000 for illegally transporting subsidised LPG cylinders

SRI AMAN: The Sessions Court here fined a man RM5,000, in default five months in prison, for transporting eight subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a licence.

John Telajan, 39, from Krian, Saratok pleaded guilty before Judge A. Akhiruddin Acho to the charge under Section 20(1)(a) of the Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016 (Chapter 72) and punishable under the same Ordinance.

If convicted, he could face a fine up to RM200,000 or imprisonment for a term up to five years or both.

John committed the act near the Malaysia-Indonesia border at Ulu Paku, Sungai Putong, Batu Lintang around 4.55pm on April 12, 2023.

Based on the case facts, a team from the General Operations Force (GOF) arrested John for attempting to smuggle out subsidised gas cylinders to the neighbouring country.

Also seized from him was a saloon car, eight LPG cylinders, and a set of car keys.

The subsidised LPG cylinders that were transported in the offender’s vehicle.

Investigations found that John had transported the subsidised goods without any permission from the authorities.

During the mitigation, he said he has been working at a palm oil company in Indonesia since 2010.

John pleaded for a lenient sentence because he has to support his wife and two children.

DPP Ronald Felix Hardin and prosecuting officer Simon Engka Crown prosecuted the case while John was unrepresented by counsel.