DNAA to aviation company, director over unlicensed ground handling

 Kuching sessions court dismisses prosecution’s application to postpone the trial of BCS Aviation (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and director Robert Song.

BCS Aviation (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and its director Robert Song were charged under Section 37(1) of the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015 for illegal refuelling operations at the Kuching International Airport seven years ago. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The Kuching sessions court has granted an aviation company and its director a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on 30 charges of conducting refuelling operations without a valid ground handling licence.

The Dayak Daily reported that judge Iris Awen Jon granted the DNAA to BCS Aviation (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and director Robert Song on June 22 after the court dismissed the prosecution’s application to postpone the trial.

Deputy public prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng sought to postpone the hearing, saying the prosecution was still considering a plea bargain proposal submitted by BCS Aviation and Song.

However, the company’s lawyer, Bong Ah Loi, objected to the attempt to delay, saying the defence had already been informed that the prosecution was unlikely to accept the proposed plea bargain terms.

Bong said the defence was prepared to proceed with the trial. Iris said the court had made it clear that there would be no further delays and that there was no certainty the plea bargaining process would succeed.

BCS Aviation and Song were charged under Section 37(1) of the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015 with unlicensed aircraft refuelling operations at Kuching International Airport between July 29 and Aug 18, 2019.

Song also faced charges under Section 92(2)(b) of the Act in his capacity as the company’s director. If convicted, they faced a maximum fine of RM1 million, up to three years’ imprisonment, or both, for each offence.

BCS Aviation and Song were represented by Bong, Azrin Ahmat and Samuel Bong. - FMT