Former Perhilitan officer jailed four years, fined RM117,000 for false claims
A former Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) officer was sentenced to four years’ jail and a fine of RM117,000 by the Sessions Court yesterday after he was found guilty of making false claims worth RM23,400 five years ago.
Judge Dazuki Ali meted out the punishment to Abu Zahrain Ismail, 45, after the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Abu Zahrain was accused of using his position at the time to deceive his director-general over the supply of backpacks worth RM23,400 under the name of Baraplas Kreatif Enterprise.
The false claims involved the purchase of 28 Deuter backpacks (75-litre) and another 60 dry packs (30-litre) and he committed the offence at the Taman Negara Perhilitan Enforcement office in Jerantut, in November 2013.
He was charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24 of the same Act that carries maximum imprisonment not exceeding 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the gratification which was the subject matter of the offence, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Counsel Datuk Hanif Hasan representing the accused applied for stay of execution of the sentence, pending appeal.
The court then allowed the accused’s stay of the jail sentence, however, he must pay the fine or serve 10 months in jail. - Bernama