Restaurant owner first to claim trial for GST-related offence

 Less than a month after the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST), a restaurant is the first in the nation to claim trial under the GST Act 2014 at the Sessions Court here.

The owner, Raja Bunesah Begum Kamaruddin, 38, was summoned and stood outside the witness dock to hear the five charges against her establishment, Restoran Hameeds Corner located in Seksyen 16, Petaling Jaya, on Thursday morning.

The charge was for issuing about 2,000 invoices not containing details as required by Section 22 of the GST Act from April 7 to 11.

DPP Raja Rozela Raja Toran asked for RM100,000 bail for all five charges.

However, Raja Bunesah's counsel Cullin Andrew said his client had already paid RM15,000 as a bond to the Customs Department.

"There is no need for a bail because this is a summons case. If my client is not present in court, an arrest warrant can be issued," said Andrew.

Judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid set bail at RM15,000 with one surety and fixed May 25 for next mention.