Ayer keroh: A former director and his company were fined RM15,000 by the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court today for failing to pay service tax and penalties amounting to RM139,755.25 between 2021 and 2023. Judge Haderiah Siri imposed the sentence after Ng Wen Hua, 31, and Go Lounge Sdn Bhd pleaded guilty to five charges. She also ordered a one-month jail term in default for each charge should they fail to settle the fine.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the charges against Ng and the company were for failing to pay service tax within the stipulated period, as required under Section 26(4) of the Service Tax Act 2018. The unpaid service taxes ranged from RM19,000 to RM30,000, with penalties between RM3,000 and RM12,000.

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department identified that the offences occurred at Wisma Kastam Negeri, Ayer Keroh, on February 1, April 1, August 2, 2022, as well as on October 3 and December 1, 2023. The charges were brought under Section 26(8) of the Service Tax Act 2018 (Act 807), read together with Section 78(1)(a) of the same Act, which prescribes a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both upon conviction.

Royal Malaysian Customs Department prosecuting officer Mohammad Azhar Habib, who conducted the proceedings, urged the court to impose a fine of RM5,000 for each charge. He cited the accused's record of non-compliance with tax payments and highlighted that the offence involved a loss of government revenue. The accused, who was unrepresented, pleaded for the minimum fine, stating that the business was no longer in operation.