DOSM Assistant Officer Fined RM45,000 For Submitting False Claims

MELAKA, March 11 (Bernama) -- The Ayer Keroh Sessions Court fined a Department of Statistics (DOSM) assistant officer RM45,000 after she pleaded guilty to three counts of submitting false claims four years ago.

Judge Elesabet Paya Wan imposed the sentence on Norrul Huda Marsidin, 42, and ordered a 15-month prison term should she fail to settle the fine.

Norrul Huda was accused of dishonestly using an invoice from FIS Gemilang Enterprise dated Nov 22, 2021, for food and beverage services provided for two programmes at the Melaka DOSM, amounting to RM6,640.

The offence was committed at the Melaka DOSM, Wisma Persekutuan, Melaka Tengah, in November 2021.

She was charged under Section 471 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Fatin Nur Athirah Zainudin proposed a fine of RM15,000 per charge, emphasising the need for deterrence given the accused’s position as a public servant and the broader public interest.

Defence counsel Azrul Zulkifli Stork pleaded for a fine without imprisonment, citing his client’s responsibility in caring for an ailing mother and her ongoing hospital treatment for anxiety disorder. 

The court subsequently imposed a fine of RM15,000 per charge, in default five months imprisonment. 

-- BERNAMA