Motoring Influencer, Brother Jailed And Fined For Lodging False Police Report

MUAR, July 25 (Bernama) -- Motoring influencer Tengku Nizaruddin Tengku Zainudin and his younger brother, Tengku Abdul Aziz, were each sentenced to one month’s imprisonment and fined RM1,500 by the Magistrates’ Court today for lodging a false police report.

Magistrate Suzana Mokhtar imposed the sentence after both accused, Tengku Nizaruddin, 38, also known as "Ija", and Tengku Abdul Aziz, 30, pleaded guilty to their respective charges.

The court ordered the jail term to commence today and ruled that both men would serve an additional three months’ imprisonment if they failed to pay the fine.

According to the charge, Tengku Nizaruddin was accused of abetting his brother by instructing him to provide false information to a police officer, claiming that the accused had gone missing and was uncontactable since 4 pm on July 14.

He was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of six months, or a fine not exceeding RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.

Tengku Abdul Aziz was separately charged under Section 182 of the Penal Code with providing false information to a police officer regarding the alleged disappearance of his brother at 11.38 pm on July 14, at the Lenga police station enquiry office. 

Deputy public prosecutors Nur Ameerah Allaudeen and Yasmin Mohd Piah urged the court to impose both imprisonment and a fine on the accused, citing the seriousness of the offence, which had wasted the manpower and resources of the Royal Malaysia Police and the Muar Fire and Rescue Department, and undermined their efforts.

“This is a common offence that is frequently committed. Given the public attention this case has received, we hope it will serve as a deterrent to others,” they said. 

In mitigation, lawyer Nor Hafizah Abdullah from the National Legal Aid Foundation, representing both accused, pleaded for a fine, stating that her clients had expressed remorse, apologised to the police and fire department, and had cooperated fully with the authorities.

“Both men are primary breadwinners with children, and this is their first offence. We respectfully urge the court to consider imposing a fine,” she submitted.

According to the facts of the case, on July 14, Tengku Abdul Aziz lodged a police report regarding the alleged disappearance of his brother. The following day, at approximately 3 pm, a vehicle driven by Tengku Nizaruddin was discovered submerged in Sungai Tui, Bukit Kepong, Muar.

A search and rescue operation was immediately launched involving the Fire and Rescue Department and the Volunteer Corps. However, the truth came to light at 12.30 am on July 19, revealing that both accused had filed a false report.

Investigations revealed that the brothers had travelled separately from Johor Bahru. Tengku Nizaruddin had instructed his brother to proceed with his journey while he headed toward Pagoh.

Upon arriving at the scene, Tengku Nizaruddin was found to have deliberately submerged the vehicle in the river before contacting his brother to pick him up. He later exited the country via Padang Besar, Perlis, and entered Thailand.

Immigration Department records confirmed Tengku Nizaruddin’s cross-border movement, and a flight ticket to Hat Yai International Airport dated July 17, booked the day before, was traced to him.

Further evidence showed that Tengku Nizaruddin had also booked an e-hailing service and CCTV footage captured his presence at the Seremban Bus Terminal at 9.25 pm on July 14.

-- BERNAMA