Kuala lumpur: The Magistrate's Court today levied a RM10,000 fine on a Bangladeshi petrol station worker for unlawfully possessing and using two Malaysian identity cards, known as MyKads, to purchase subsidized BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) petrol.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Magistrate Aina Azahra Arifin sentenced Md Jakir Hossain, 50, after he admitted guilt to two charges of using the identity cards of two Malaysians without authority or lawful reason. The court imposed a fine of RM5,000 for each charge, with a default sentence of seven months' imprisonment if the fine is not paid. Hossain has since paid the fine.

The infractions occurred at a petrol station on Jalan Pahang between February 8 and April 22 last year. They fall under Regulation 25(1)(o) of the National Registration Regulations 1990, which stipulates a maximum fine of RM20,000, a maximum imprisonment term of three years, or both.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Hench Goh argued for a sentence that reflects the loss suffered by the victims in terms of their subsidized petrol quota. She noted that Hossain had the opportunity to return the identity cards but chose to exploit them to purchase subsidized fuel.

Hossain's lawyer, Low Carmen, requested a lenient fine, highlighting that her client is the primary provider for his family and has shown remorse for his actions.

The case's details reveal that the complainant, an accountant and owner of one of the MyKads, noticed his BUDI95 subsidized petrol balance drop significantly from 94.937 liters to 44.637 liters as of April 22 last year. He suspected his missing identity card was misused to acquire subsidized fuel at the Jalan Pahang station. A Budi Madani service center check identified five suspicious transactions linked to the card.

Subsequent CCTV footage review led to Hossain's arrest. Authorities found two identity cards belonging to the complainant and another person during a search of his rental accommodation.