Kota Kinabalu: A company was freed from seven counts of using logging machinery which were not registered with the Forest Conservator Chief (FCC), without its defence being called.
Sessions Court Judge Ummu Khaltom Abd Samad discharged and acquitted Maxland Sdn Bhd from all the charges after making a decision at the end of prosecution stage on Tuesday.
The court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the company.
On the first to seventh counts, the company as logging contractor, was accused of using seven logging machinery which were not registered with the FCC for logging purposes.
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The offence, under Section 20B(1) of the Forest Rules 1969 and punishable under Section 20B(9)(1) of the same Rules, provides for a jail term of up to 12 months and fine, on conviction.
The prosecution had called six witnesses in the hearing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Atiqa Nazihah Azrni appeared for the prosecution while counsel Ian Cham defended the company.
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