KUALA LUMPUR: A 45-year-old mother of two attracted the attention of those in the public gallery as she entered the Sessions Court here yesterday.

Zaharah Jaafar painted a pitiful picture as she was wheeled into the courtroom in a chair (not a wheelchair) by a court policewoman.

She is suffering from cervical cancer and looked weak as she slumped in the bench in the dock.

Zaharah, who was Putrajaya Pos Malaysia branch manager and in charge of the daily money collection, was charged with committing criminal breach of trust of RM95,500 at the first floor of Block B1 of the Prime Minister's Department on May 18, 2006.

Zaharah broke down as she pleaded guilty to the charge.
"It's my fault. I did it. I'm so sorry for what I have done."

Deputy public prosecutor Aqeeb Lizalman Nordin Zamery proposed bail at RM10,000 in one surety.

Zaharah, who was not represented, said her husband, a taxi driver, was present to post bail.

"I beg the court to impose minimal bail. I have lost my income and ruined my daughters' future. One of my daughters had to give up her studies to take care of me."

Zaharah said she was ill and did not have any savings. "All my money was spent to treat my illness."



Judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah granted Zaharah RM10,000 bail in one surety and fixed Oct 13 for sentencing.