Kota Kinabalu: A 41-year-old woman was fined a total of RM12,000 for having unregistered products and cosmetics.
Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain handed the sentence to Faridah Yacobus who pleaded guilty to the two charges against her, on Tuesday.
On the first count, Faridah was fined RM6,000 or four months’ jail for having 41 types of products which were not registered with the Ministry of Health (MOH), at 2.15pm on Nov 28, 2023, at the Rakan Jaya Trading in Kedai Kepayan Perdana, Commercial Centre, near here.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The offence, under Regulation 7 (1)(a) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetic Regulations 1984, carries a jail term of up to three years, or a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, on conviction.
On the second count, Faridah, as the owner of the shop, was fined another RM6,000 or four months’ jail for having 38 types of cosmetics without notifications at the same place and time.
In asking for lower fine, the unrepresented Faridah informed the court that she has four children who are still schooling. She is also looking after a disabled sibling and elderly parents.
However, Prosecuting Officer Abu Suffian A. Rahman, assisted by Thai Yih Yang from the Pharmacy Department, urged the court to impose a maximum sentence on Faridah in the interest of public safety and health, as well as not only serve as a lesson to Faridah but as a warning to others who may intend to commit the same offence.
Abu said a total of 41 types of unregistered products and thirty-six 38 types of cosmetics that were seized have been confirmed to be unregistered and unnotified by the Drug Control Authority.
He told the court that the seized items were neither tested for authenticity, content, effectiveness, nor were they subjected to studies involving side effect risks, and their safety is in doubt.
According to Abu, these products and cosmetics were owned by Faridah in large quantity with an estimated value of RM33,317.
He further submitted that the products and cosmetics were displayed on the shelves of Faridah’s store, potentially inviting the public to purchase them.
Abu said all products and cosmetics displayed in any business premises must be registered and notified with the Drug Control Authority and MOH.
