Pregnant saleswoman fined RM800 for selling unregistered cosmetics in Papar

KOTA KINABALU (April 9): The Sessions Court here has fined a pregnant shop worker RM800 in default 14 days’ jail for selling unregistered cosmetic products.

Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan imposed the fine on Hamizah Hassan, 23, after she pleaded guilty to an offence under Regulation 7 (1)(a) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetic Regulations 1984.

The offence carries a jail term of up to three years, or a fine of up to RM50,000, or both upon conviction.

She committed the offence at a shop in Benoni, Papar on July 4, 2024.

In mitigation, Hamizah, who did not have legal representation, claimed that she was only doing her job as an employee.

She pointed out that she was no longer working at the shop, is currently jobless, and five months pregnant.

In reply, Pharmacy Department prosecuting officer Angeline Francis William requested a deterrent sentence to serve as a lesson to Hamizah and would-be offenders not to commit a similar offence in future.

In a separate case in the same courtroom, a shop owner was fined RM1,500 in default 14 days’ imprisonment for possessing three unregistered cosmetic products.

Rosmena, 39, admitted to having the products in the same shop on the same day.

In mitigation, Rosmena, who was also unrepresented, appealed for a lenient sentence saying that she is struggling financially as the shop rental is very high, but the volume of business is low.

The prosecution also urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence as the unregistered products from Rosmena’s shop were worth RM900 and above.

Amir Shah Amir Hassan Angeline Francis William Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court lead onsite