Lai Yong Keong, the director of a diesel wholesale company, entered the plea after the charges were read before judge Noor Aini Yusof.

On the first charge, Lai was alleged to have provided false information when submitting the instruction form for nine invoices or receipts for diesel purchases.

He allegedly committed the offence at the domestic trade and cost of living ministry office at Kompleks Sempilai Jaya in Seberang Jaya at 10.30am on Feb 18, 2023.

The charge was framed under Section 8(4)(b) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and is punishable under Section 22 (1) of the same Act.

On the second, third and fourth charges, he was accused of refusing to submit a bank financial statement for Profusion Petroleum Sdn Bhd as requested by the supply officer through the Instructions to Submit Information on Controlled Goods form under Section 8 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

All the offences were alleged to have been committed between March 10 and 17, 2023, at the same location.

Lai could be fined up to RM1 million and sentenced to a three-year jail term or both, if found guilty.

Deputy public prosecutors Syazwani Zawawi and Noh Alimah Sanusi appeared for the prosecution, while Lai was represented by lawyer Asri Abdul Hamid.

Noor Aini set bail of RM30,000 for each charge and ordered Lai to report to the Penang domestic trade and cost of living ministry office every month pending disposal of the case

The court fixed April 19 for mention.