‘Dr Vida’ charged with evading RM4.2m GST
> Cosmetics queen pleads not guilty to 32 counts under two offences
IPOH: Businesswoman Datuk Seri Hasmiza Othman, better known as “Dr Vida” in the business circle for her beauty and healthcare products, pleaded not guilty at the sessions court here yesterday to 16 counts of failing to make payments for Goods and Services Tax (GST) totalling RM4.2 million.
She also pleaded not guilty to another 16 counts of failing to submit GST statements to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.
For the first 16 charges, she allegedly failed to pay GST for the period April 2015 to July this year, which is an offence under Section 41 (7) of the GST Act 2014.
On the second 16 charges, she allegedly failed to submit GST statements for the same period, an offence under Section 41 (6) of the same Act.
Hasmiza ,from Meru Hill, allegedly committed both offences at the GST division of Wisma Kastam in Jalan Tun Abdul Razak here.
Judge Murtazadi Amran set bail at RM60,000 for each of the first 16 charges and RM50,000 for each of the second 16 charges. Hasmiza’s bail, totalling RM1.76 million, was set with one surety each.
The judge also ordered her passport to be surrendered to the court.
Earlier, Murtazadi said: “After hearing reasons from both sides, I cannot impose a high bail, and if she fails to raise the amount, it will affect the accused’s family and business outlets which employ 200 workers. At the same time, a lower bail will not be appropriate given the seriousness of the offences.”
The charges under Section 41(7) and Section 41(6) of the GST Act 2014 provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or three years’ imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutors Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan and Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran from the Customs Department led the prosecution, while the accused was represented by Khairilazwar Khalil and Syed Ahmad Syed Abas.
Farah Ezlin had earlier urged the court to impose RM100,000 bail for each of the 32 charges.
The court fixed Nov 15 for mention.