Doctor accused of falsifying documents acquitted

IPOH: A doctor was acquitted and discharged by the sessions court yesterday on a charge of falsifying documents to certify an individual fit to renew his public vehicle licence four years ago.

Dr Ahmad Razi Othman, 59, was charged on Jan 5, 2016 with falsifying the vocational licence application form for Zulkifli Che Yusof at Poliklinik Razi at 27, Persiaran Sri Damai 2, Taman Seri Damai, Tapah on March 7, 2013.

He had certified Zulkifli fit to drive public vehicles although no examination was carried out on him to support documents, which were required for the renewal of a Class D licence issued by the Road Transport Department.

The charge, under Section 465 of the Penal Code for forgery, carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both.

In the judgment, judge S. Indera Nehru pointed out multiple defects in the charge.

“Section 465 of the Penal Code is the punishment for the offence and not the charge. It should be Section 463/464 for fraud and dishonesty. The elements of crime have to be proven ... dishonesty and fraud (are) not in charge sheet,” she added.

Ahmad Shamil Azad Abdul Hamid represented the accused while Nurul Wahidah Jalaluddin from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission prosecuted.

Three other doctors – R. Pathmanathan, 55, Fong Hon Pin @ Poon Hon Pin, 68, and Phuah Chye Thuang, 62, – all from different clinics in Perak, also claimed trial to similar charges on the same day.

Pathmanathan was charged with committing the offence at Kumpulan Poliklinik Manjung Sdn Bhd in Bandar Seri Manjung involving Mohd Saiful Baqhtiar Mohd Rohaizat, Fong at Klinik Simee in Kampung Simee, Ipoh for one S. Suppiah Thevar, and Phuah at Klinik Phuah in Grik for one Mohd Firdaues Azizan.