Suspects caught for counterfeiting to be charged under Amla

KPDNHEP enforcement division director Iskandar Halim Sulaiman (fourth from left) with seized exhibits which were later destroyed at the Enforcement Division Storage Complex in Nilai today. (Bernama pic)

NILAI: Individuals arrested on suspicion of being involved in the selling of counterfeit goods worth more than RM30,000 will be remanded and charged under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, effective this month.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) enforcement division director Iskandar Halim Sulaiman said compound fines would no longer be issued for such offences.

“We will not be issuing summons or compound fines anymore. Instead, we will arrest and have them remanded for a few days before they are charged in court.

“We will ensure that those involved in counterfeiting activities will be charged under the Anti-Money Laundering Act,” he told a press conference following the destruction of seized exhibits at the KPDNHEP Enforcement Division Storage Complex here today.

Elaborating, he said the implementation of this measure was aimed at eradicating sale and use of counterfeit products.

“We are committed to resolving this issue and this serves as a warning to everyone,” he said.

At the event, the enforcement division disposed of various fake goods, involving 78 cases worth RM6.7 million, which included handbags, shoes, wine and clothes.

Over 62,000 counterfeit toner cartridges worth RM3.1 million were also destroyed.

Iskandar added that KPDNHEP had to bear high costs to dispose of the counterfeit goods seized as they have to comply with conditions set under the Environmental Quality Act 1974. - FMT