Unregistered herbal products: Court increases fine on dealer to RM15,000

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today increased the fine imposed on a herbal medicine dealer, who was convicted for possessing 32 traditional health products not registered with the Ministry of Health Malaysia last year, to RM15,000.
Judicial Commissioner Datuk Aliza Sulaiman made the decision after hearing the appeal by the prosecution as the appellant, against the RM5,500 fine meted by the Magistrate's Court on Rianty Rasyid, 49, on March 30, 2017.
The Aceh woman, who appeared calm during the proceedings, was also faced with nine months in prison if she failed to pay the fine.
In her judgement, Aliza said the court found that the respondent (Rianty) was a repeat offender having had committed 55 offences since 2010 and the previous convictions had not stopped her from committing the same offence.
"The respondent should have been more careful when buying or receiving a supply of products for sale by ensuring that the products are registered," she said.
On the first and second counts, Rianty was charged with having 19 and 13 traditional health products respectively, which were in violation of Regulation 7(1) (a) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.
The offence was committed at the Albarakah Business premises at Lot 5, Section 41, Chow Kit New Bazaar, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman between 11.15 am and 11.20am on April 5, 2016.
Both charges framed under Regulation 30 (1) of the same regulations and punishable under Section 12 (1) of the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 carries a maximum fine of RM25,000 or up to three years' jail or both for the first offence.
For the second and subsequent offences, the section provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term of up to five years or both.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Nazneen Zulkifli prosecuted while the respondent was represented by counsel S. Balasubrameniam. — Bernama