KUALA LUMPUR: A finance administration assistant today sobbed as she appealed with the Sessions Court not to be jailed after pleading guilty to forging documents with the intention to cheat the Defence Ministry of RM15,776 in 2022.
Norshuhada Ismail,35,made her plea before Sessions Court Judge Rozina Ayob after she was charged under Section 471 of the Penal Code read with Section 109.
The charge sheet stated that Norshuhada, as the ministry's agent, had allegedly conspired with Nordin Yaakop, the manager of Syarikat Mieza Jaya Global Enterprise, to forge working papers.
It was to obtain catering services for two events from Feb 28 to March 3,2022; and from March 14 to March 17, 2022 respectively.
The offence was committed at the ministry's human resources development division at the naval base, here.
It is punishable under Section 465 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term up to two years, a fine or both.
Norshuhada pleaded to be fined and not be sent to jail.
She said she has three young children and provides for the family.
"I am repentant and regretful. I promise not to repeat this mistake and I ask for a fine between RM20,000 and RM25,000," she said.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission prosecuting officer Afiqah Ab Razak told the court that there must be a fair punishment as the case involved a civil servant who was in charge of procurement.
"This is a noble profession and highly looked upon. It should not be marred by criminal elements.
"Forging documents is an act of extreme greed and this case involves public interest, more than one's personal interest.
"The prosecution will not object if the fine is in the range of RM20,000 to RM25,000. The accused does not have past records," she said.
Rozina reprimanded Norshuhada as she should set a good example to others.
"The court is giving you a last chance.
"As the head of a family and a mother, you should be an example to your children. Do you understand?," she said.
Rozina fined Norshuhada RM20,000 in default 30-days jail.