BUKIT MERTAJAM: Six factory workers were charged at two separate magistrate's court here today with committing forgery by submitting fake medical certificates (MC) between October last year and February this year.
Three of them, all male, pleaded guilty to the offence when the charge was read separately to them while another three, all female, claimed trial.
At the court presided by Magistrate Mohd Zaki Abdul Rahman, Muhammad Amir Md Ishak, 19, and Mohamad Hafizi Zainuddin, 28, were each fined RM2,700 after they pleaded guilty to submitting fake MCs to their employer Syarikat EMS M Engineering Medical System Sdn Bhd in Bukit Minyak on Feb 22 and Feb 27, this year respectively.
Mohd Zaki also sentenced them to five days jail from the date they were arrested on March 23.
They were charged under Section 465 of the Penal Code, which carries maximum two years' jail and fine or both, upon conviction.
Amir and Hafizi were represented by counsel Abdul Nasir Wahid from the state Legal Aid Foundation.
Abdul Nasir said Amir was only 19 and earned RM1,400 monthly.
"He has also been in remand for five days," he said.
As for Hafizi, Abdul Nasir said he too earned RM1,400, and had to care for his parents.
"By pleading guilty, he has saved the court time and expenses," he added.
Deputy Public Prosecutor M. Kalaivaanan pressed for deterrent sentences for the men, saying that their offence to knowingly use a forged document, was a serious one.
At the same court, Nurul Izzah Abdul Razak, 20, claimed trial to committing a similar offence at the same place on Oct 26, last year.
Mohd Zaki set bail at RM5,000 with one surety and fixed May 3 for mention.
Kalaivaanan had asked for bail to be set at RM9,000.
Nurul Izzah's counsel, Muhammad Zayumi Mohd Yusof, however told the court that his client was no longer employed and dependant on her sister who is the sole breadwinner.
"Her sister will ensure that she appears in court," he said.
Meanwhile, at the Magistrate's Court presided by Magistrate B. Sri Pracha Nanthini, Muhamad Zulhakimi Masdi, 23, pleaded guilty to a similar offence at the same place on Dec 26, last year.
Sri Pracha Nanthini fined him RM3,500 and ordered him to serve five days of jail from the date of conviction (today).
"My client apologises for his actions," Zulhakimi's counsel, Nur Najihah Ahmad Zulkarnain told the court.
At the same court, Nur Farah Amira Alisham, 21, and Marsya Fatini Mohd Rani, 20, claimed trial to committing similar offences at the same place on Jan 20, this year and Feb 4 as well as Feb 26, respectively. Marsya faced two charges.
Marsha's counsel, Chang Kian Hong, told the court that his client was a mother of two, aged 2 and 4, and that the younger child was still breastfeeding.
Sri Pracha Nanthini set bail at RM4,000 each with once surety for both women and fixed May 3 for mention.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohammad Nazri Abdul Rahim prosecuted.