KUALA LUMPUR: A businesswoman claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today to making a false claim involving more than RM1 million from the Social Security Organisation's hiring incentives two years ago.
S. Ratah, 54, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out before Sessions judge Suzana Hussain.
The accused, who owned Star Skill Sdn Bhd, was charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(2) of the same which provides for a maximum 20 years' imprisonment and a fine five times the amount involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Ratah was accused of submitting documents with false details to claim RM1,194,440 from Socso under its hiring incentives for 12 workers.
The said workers listed in the documents, however, were not working under her company.
She was accused of committing the offence in May 2021 at Wisma Perkeso, Kampung Baru here.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Mohd Fadhly Mohd Zamry proposed bail at RM50,000.
Counsel Tarlochan Singh Dhaliwal, who appeared on behalf of the accused, asked for a reduced bail, citing that his client's company had gone bankrupt and that she is homebound due to health issues.
Suzana set bail at RM45,000 and ordered the accused to surrender her passport to the court and report to the MACC office once a month.
She also fixed March 14 for mention.