Kota Bharu trader’s no-show lands him an arrest warrant over 42 cooking oil charges

Kota Bharu authorities issued an arrest warrant for a 61-year-old businessman, Pui Tiong Lam, on September 23, as he did not attend court to address charges related to 42 cooking oil offenses. Judge Nik Habri Muhamad issued the warrant because Pui did not provide a valid reason for his absence from the court proceedings. The prosecution accused him of maintaining inadequate records of subsidized cooking oil stock and failing to present the necessary documentation.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Edabayu Subhan stated that the prosecution lacked a medical certificate to justify Pui's no-show, prompting the warrant's issuance. The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for November 5.