KUCHING: An employer was fined RM7,000, in default five months’ imprisonment, by the Magistrates’ Court here on Tuesday for failing to pay contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
The 58-year-old employer was found guilty after Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven the case beyond reasonable doubt.
The accused was charged under Section 43(2) of the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991.
The accused had earlier pleaded not guilty and elected to be tried, representing himself.
After a full trial and upon evaluating the evidence and submissions from both parties, the court found that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly convicted the accused.
The accused failed to pay the fine, and the custodial sentence was enforced in accordance with the court’s order.
The court also issued an additional order under Section 63(3) of the same Act, directing the accused to pay the outstanding contributions, together with the relevant dividends, to the EPF Board within six months beginning Feb 24.
The prosecution was conducted by EPF Legal Officer Syed Azrie Wan Annuar together with Prosecuting Officer Roslina Bujang.
