{
  "id": 18276569,
  "title": "Two men charged with using forged documents to reduce cosmetics import duties",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/two-men-charged-with-using-forged-documents-to-reduce-cosmetics",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T08:07:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/11/1571475/two-men-charged-using-forged-documents-reduce-cosmetics-import-duties"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two men appeared in court today, pleading not guilty to charges related to alleged fraud and the use of forged documents in connection with the importation of cosmetic products. Zul Akmal Ab Suhukor, 52, and Sarudin Daud, 53, face separate allegations that occurred between August and September 2024 at an office located in Menara Northam, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah.\n\nZul Akmal is accused of deceiving a 26-year-old local manager at a cosmetics company into transferring RM13,000 into his company's bank account, with the intention of paying the Customs Department to reduce the duties on imported cosmetics. Both men were charged under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code, which carries a potential jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both upon conviction.\n\nSarudin Daud faces a charge of using a forged document, specifically a forged Declaration Form for Imported Goods dated September 12, 2024, in the Customs Department's Customs Information System. This document contained false information, leading to a reduction in the tax payable from RM55,632.19 to RM25,850.15. He was charged under Section 471 of the Penal Code, with penalties including a potential two-year jail term, a fine, or both upon conviction.\n\nBoth defendants were granted bail of RM10,000 each, with the condition of surrendering their passports to the court. Their lawyers argued that their clients are employed as office managers, earning RM2,500 and RM1,800 per month respectively, and have three children and non-working wives to support. The next court date for both cases is scheduled for December 14.",
  "summary": "GEORGE TOWN: Two men pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to separate charges of fraud and using forged documents in connection with the declaration of imported cosmetic products belonging to a company.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}