Judge Murtazadi Amran today granted the application by the defence to prepare the accused’s representation when the case was brought for mention at the Ipoh Sessions Court here today.

The court set Dec 15 for re-mention.

Earlier, after the accused maintained her plea of not guilty, deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran told the court that the prosecution was ready to conduct the trial.

The accused was represented by counsel Khairilazwar Khalil and Syed Ahmad Syed Abas.

On Oct 13, the owner and founder of Vida Beauty Sdn Bhd claimed trial to 16 counts of failing to submit her GST statements and 16 counts of failing to pay GST amounting to RM4.2 million between April 2015 and July 2016.

She allegedly committed the offences at the Royal Malaysian Customs, GST Division office at Wisma Kastam in Jalan Tun Razak here.

The first 16 charges are framed under Section 41(7) of the GST Act 2014, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or three years’ imprisonment, or both, on conviction.

The next 16 charges are framed under Section 41(6) of the GST Act 2014, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or three years’ imprisonment, or both, on conviction.

The court set RM1.76 million as bail for all the charges and impounded the accused’s passport pending disposal of the case.