LANGKAWI: A restaurant operator of a viral RM20 'ayam goreng kunyit' dish early this year was fined RM10,000 by the Session Court here today for failing to maintain records of purchases and sales of cooking products.
Judge Allan Suman Pillai imposed the sentence on Asyuni Mastura Basri, 22, after she pleaded guilty to the charge.
Following the decision, Asyuni became the first eatery operator in the country to be convicted for the offence, framed under Section 53A(3) of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
The charge carries a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both, upon conviction.
The accused, who owns the premises Danau Bingkuong Enterprise in Pantai Chenang, had failed to keep receipts and maintain sales records between January 2021 to Nov 30, 2023, as required by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN).
She was accused of charging 'ayam goreng kunyit' (turmeric fried chicken) for RM20, which has gone viral after a customer took to social media to air her frustration on Jan 14.
The accused was found to have failed to comply with an authority directive issued under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, that is to provide purchase and sales invoices for the product.
KPDN Prosecuting Officer Mohamad Hezrin Abd Wahab prosecuted the case, while the accused was not represented.
When met outside the courtroom, Hezrin said the sentence against the accused for failing to maintain and manage sales records and receipts, was the first of its kind in the country.