KUALA LUMPUR: A canteen operator has been fined RM50,000 by the Sessions Court here for using false documents to claim incentives under the National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) programme two years ago.
Judge Rozina Ayob imposed the fine, in default three months' jail, on Amir Shariffuddin Haron, 56, after he pleaded guilty on Monday (July 31) to an alternative charge and plea offered by prosecuting officer Abd Muntaqim Abdul Aziz.
This was after Abd Muntaqim informed the court that the prosecution had received the second representation from the accused on May 30.
"After examining the second representation by the accused, the prosecution would like to offer an alternative charge under Section 471 of the Penal Code," said Abd Muntaqim.
According to the charge, Amir Shariffuddin, through an individual, was alleged to have used as genuine a document which is the Employee Verification Form for the Hiring Incentive Programme, in the name of As Hayana Services dated March 5, 2021, which he knew was false.
The offence was committed at Wisma Perkeso, Jalan Tun Razak here on the above date.
The charge was framed under Section 471 of the Penal Code (knowingly using a forged document as genuine) punishable under Section 465 of the same law (for forgery), which provides imprisonment for up to two years or a fine or both, if found guilty.
Based on the facts of the case, Amir Shariffuddin, who is the proprietor of As Haryana Services company, had submitted an employee verification form for the Penjana incentive claim containing false information to Socso; and admitted to having received RM45,900 from the social security organisation, which was banked into his account in six transactions.
The investigation found that all the nine names listed in the form were not As Hayana employees and thus were not eligible to receive the incentive payments.
Amir Shariffuddin was represented by lawyer Zulkifli Awang, assisted by Hasmah Nordin. – Bernama
