MELAKA: A businessman has ended up RM20,000 poorer when he was fined by the Sessions Court here today for trying to make a profit by selling counterfeit goods.
Chan Yik Kwan, 36, pleaded guilty to two charges which were read to him before Judge Norma Ismail.
According to the first charge, Chan was found in possession of 323 shirts and 51 pairs of pants that were falsely branded as Adidas.
The offence was committed at his premise in Dataran Pahlawan at about 6pm on Sept 22, 2016.
Under the second charge, Chan was found in possession of 31 shirts, 10 pairs of pants and 121 keychains, which were falsely branded as Chelsea at the same time, date and location.
The offence, under Section 8(2)(c) of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 for each goods bearing the false trade description or a maximum three years’ jail.
A second or subsequent offence carries a fine of not exceeding RM20,000 for each goods bearing the false trade description, or a maximum five years’ jail, or both.
Earlier, counsel Leong Zhi Hong, who represented Chan, pleaded for a lower fine as his client has helped save the court's time by pleading guilty.
“My client had also shut down his business and only taking part-time jobs. He also have to support his family and his wife, who just delivered a baby.
However, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry prosecuting officer Sallim Wahid argued for a deterrent sentence, saying that pleading guilty was not an excuse for a reduced sentence.
Norma then ordered Chan to pay a RM10,000 fine, in default four months’ jail for each charge.
The accused paid the fine.