JUDGMENT

Shahnaz Sulaiman JC:

Introduction

[1] This is an appeal by the Public Prosecutor against the decision of the learned Magistrate on 8 November 2020 to acquit and discharge the respondents from a charge under s 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 .

Background

[2] Succinctly the respondents were charged for an offence under s 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for an offence of importing prohibited goods valued at RM20,030.40.

The Charge

[3] The charge against the respondents reads as follows:

"Bahawa kamu, pada 16 September 2019 kira-kira jam 2.45 petang, di perairan Tanjung Penyusop di dalam perairan Malaysia pada koordinat 01019.972"N, 104019.801"E, di dalam daerah Pengerang, di dalam Negeri Johor telah terlibat dalam mengimport barang-barang larangan iaitu:

1. 24 botol minuman keras jenama JOHNIE WALKER GOLD LABEL RESERVE 40% 750 ml

2. 228 botol minuman keras jenama MARTELL V.S.O.P 40% 700 ml

3. 576 botol minuman keras jenama JACK DANIEL'S 40% 750 ml

4. 408 botol minuman keras jenama THE GLENLIVET FOUNDE'S RESERVE 40% 750 ml

5. 156 botol minuman keras jenama Johnie WALKER BLACK LABEL 40% 100 ml

6. 732 botol minuman keras jenama KAHLUA COFFEE LIQUEUR 20% 700 ml

7. 24 botol minuman keras