KUALA LUMPUR: Former Pelaburan Hartanah Berhad (PHB) general manager Khairul Anuar Abd Samad was fined RM30,000 for abetting another individual in cheating the company in connection with a shopping mall development project in Terengganu.
Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob also meted out the same sentence against former Gafis (M) Sdn Bhd assistant manager of procurement and contracts Asliza Lah for the same offence today.
Rozina handed down the judgement after the duo pleaded guilty to the offence.
The judge in her verdict said that both defendants had one final opportunity to repent and be remorseful.
Both accused, who initially pleaded not guilty when charged last year, have opted to change their plea to an alternative charge.
Counsel Mohd Fikah Sanusi who appeared for the duo pleaded for minimum sentence.
He said the guilty pleas of both accused saved the court time and money.
Meanwhile, Deputy Public Prosecutor Aznika Mohd Anas and Mohammad Fadhly Mohd Zamry pressed for a deterrent sentence.
In Nov 16, last year, Khairul Anuar was charged with three counts of abetting PHB consultant Mohd Azhari Che Omar, by signing Confirmation for Payment Claim documents for Gafis (M) Sdn Bhd, worth RM46 million, of which RM1.2 million were claims for Factory Acceptance Testing materials for the project including booster and pneumatic pump, chiller and condenser pump that was never used in the project.
He was alleged to have signed those documents between Nov 16, 2020 and Jan 22, 2021, and for convincing PHB to make the payments to the company between Dec 9, 2020 and Feb 15, 2021.
The offence falls under Section 420 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years and whipping and fine, if found guilty.