Ex-teacher’s jail sentence enhanced after appeal

KOTA KINABALU: The jail sentence of an ex-teacher for making a false claim was enhanced from three years to eight years by the High Court here yesterday following an appeal by the convicted man.

Justice Datuk Nurchaya Hj Arshad dismissed the appeal by Amir Hassan Ali Usin, 52, to have the lower court's decision imposed on him to be varied. The court also maintained the fine of RM10,000, in default, three months' jail, imposed on the appellant.

“We do not condone corruption and we detest corruption, the judge mentioned in her decision, adding that corrupted persons are parasites and rapists of the State economy.

She said the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) had worked very hard and if, at the end of the day, they do not treat it as a disease it could become widespread.

The court also dismissed the appellant's application for a stay of execution pending his appeal to the Court of Appeal.

On October 10, 2016, Amir was jailed three years and fined RM10,000, in default, three months' jail by the Sessions Court here after he was found guilty as charged under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 which is punishable under Section 24 of the same Act.

The indictment carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount involved or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

The charge sheet stated that the appellant had submitted a false claim to the payment division chief, Josephine Sherilyn Joe Liew Apok, of the Accountant General's Department, for payment of sports garments and uniforms for children of Tabika Kemas in 2009 when the items had not been fully supplied.

Deputy public prosecutor Rozana Abdul Hadi appeared for the respondent while counsel Goldam Hamid represented the appellant.