Kuala lumpur: A director of a cleaning services company pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to nine counts of failing to pay service tax and penalties amounting to RM38,362 between 2021 and 2024. Mujeebur Rahman Hithayatullah, 34, entered the plea after the charges were read out separately before Judge Irwan Sunaibon.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the charge sheets indicate that the accused, as a taxable person under the Service Tax Act 2018, allegedly failed to settle the service tax within the stipulated periods. These periods include Nov 1, 2021, to Dec 31, 2021; Jan 1, 2023, to Feb 28, 2023; March 1, 2023, to April 30, 2023; May 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023; July 1, 2023, to Aug 31, 2023; Sept 1, 2023, to Oct 31, 2023; Nov 1, 2023, to Dec 31, 2023; Jan 1, 2024, to Feb 2, 2024; and March 1, 2024, to April 30, 2024.

He was charged under Section 26(8) of the Service Tax Act 2018, which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.

Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) prosecuting officer A. Uvarajan prosecuted, while the accused was unrepresented. The court fixed 31 March for the submission of documents and appointment of counsel.