Fadley Faisal

The Magistrate’s Court yesterday handed a local man two months jail sentence and ordered to settle a BND2,000 fine, or serve an additional two months’ imprisonment in default of payment after he pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a Customs officer’s instructions and endangering members of the public.

Sheikh Umar bin Sheikh Haji Eham, 49, had driven off in his car during a Customs inspection at the Kuala Lurah Control Post at 11.35am on November 8, 2019 and had put two pedestrians in harm’s way.

DPP Dr Muhd Hussin Ali bin Idris said in court that the defendant actually stopped at the control post when inquired by the Customs examiner to what he had brought in.

He replied he had nothing to declare while other officers were inspecting other parts of the car.

One of the officers found a carton of cigarette, and this prompted the defendant to drive away recklessly, and had almost hit two pedestrians who were crossing. The two managed to run away in time and avoid being hit.

Magistrate Muhammad Marzuqi bin Sabtu said that it is in the public interest that Customs officers must not be exposed to unnecessary risk whilst executing their duties and members of the public should obey the Customs officers.