Charges against Datuk Vida dropped after she settles GST arrears of RM4.2m

IPOH: The Sessions Court allowed Customs Deputy Public Prosecutor to withdraw 16 charges for not paying Goods and Services Tax (GST) against beauty cosmetic millionaire entrepreneur Datuk Seri Dr Hasmiza Othman popularly known as "Datuk Vida" after the accused paid more than RM4.2 million today.
Her lawyer Syed Ahmad Syed Abas told the court that his client had paid the full amount by cheque totalling RM4.246,029.10.
DPP Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran confirmed the amount had been paid.
Judge Murtazadi Amran allowed the application by Raja Rozela to withdraw the charges when the case came up for trial.
On Oct 30 last year Hasmiza claimed trial to the charges committed between April 2015 and July 31, 2016 under Section 41(6) of the GST Act 2014, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, or three years' imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
The offences were committed at the GST division, Wisma Kastam, No. 1, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak here.
On Dec 16, last year, Hasmiza was fined RM80,000 for the16 charges of failing to submit GST statements between April 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016.
Hasmiza was in a jovial mood when she walked out of the courtroom posing for press photographers and even taking selfies with the public.
"I am free now and I can go on tour ... nobody wants to sit in the court and I have suffered," she told reporters while holding her international passport which was returned to her.
"All kinds of allegations were made against me ... this will motivate me to go higher," she added.