Kota Kinabalu: A cosmetics owner was fined a total of RM3,000 for having unregistered products and cosmetics without notifications.
Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan handed the sentence to Sufilla John, 36, who pleaded guilty to the two charges against her.
On the first count, Sufilla was fined RM1,000 in default 14 days’ jail for having 11 types of unregistered products for sale at 11.35am on Feb 15, 2024 at the I.D Beauty Care, 3-Storey Hypermarket in Benoni Commercial Centre Phase 3a, Papar.
Among the products were HKT Herba Kurus Tradisi, Suurt Ayu Jamu Herbal Ramuan Alami, Freshcare Teens Bubble Gum and Happy Cherry, Balsam Ooto Geliga, My Baby Minyak Telon Plus, Minyak Urut Dayak Perisai Borneo and Gydroquinone Tretinoin Brilliant Rejuv Topical.
The offence under Regulation 7 (1)(a) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetic Regulations 1984 carries a jail term of up to three years, or a fine of up to RM50,000 or both, on conviction.
On the second count, she was fined another RM2,000 or jailed a month for having 24 types of cosmetics without notifications at the same place and time.
In mitigation, Sufilla who was not represented asked for a light sentence saying that it was her first offence.
She told the court that it was her first time involved in the cosmetics business and did not know that the products were not registered as the products also were widely available on the market, adding that she is just a small trader.
Sufilla promised not repeat the offence in future.
However, Prosecuting Officer Saifullah Al-Mujahid Mohamad Uda from the Pharmacy Department urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence as Sufilla had committed the offence which could risk the public’s health as the products were not registered with the Health Ministry and had no notifications.
Saifulla told the court that the estimated total value of the seizure of the products was RM2,993.
He further submitted that the products were confirmed unregistered with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), lacking evaluation by the Drug Control Authority (DCA), raising concerns about their quality, effectiveness and safety, which may pose risks and side effects to the public.
