Kota Kinabalu: A 33-year-old food seller was fined RM3,500, or two months' jail in default, by the Magistrate's Court here on Tuesday after pleading guilty to selling contaminated "ayam masak lemak" (chicken in coconut milk gravy) at a Ramadan bazaar in Penampang earlier this year.
Magistrate Wan Farrah Farriza Wan Ghazali sentenced Salbiah Laturu for selling ready-to-eat "ayam masak lemak" contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus at the Nasi Bujang Berlauk Abe Wie stall at the Kepayan Point Ramadan Bazaar at 4.50pm on Feb 23.
The offence, under Regulation 39(2) of the Food Regulations 1985 and punishable under Regulation 397(2) of the same regulations, carries a maximum fine of RM10,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both, upon conviction.
Health prosecuting officer Rals Benjamin Yakod told the court that officers from the Penampang Health Office collected food samples during Ops Ramadan 2026, with laboratory analysis later confirming the "ayam masak lemak" sample contained Staphylococcus aureus, while another sample met food safety requirements.
In seeking an appropriate sentence, the prosecution submitted that contaminated food poses a risk to public health and urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, noting that Salbiah paid the fine after sentencing.
