Administrative assistant faces 21 charges for making false teaching claims

An administrative assistant at the Kluang District Kadi Office pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to 21 charges of making false claims in teaching allowance amounting to RM16,800.

Norlizah Mohd Jani made the plea after all the charges were read out to her before judge Kamarudin Kamsun.

On all the charges, Norlizah, 45, was charged in her capacity as a government agent, to have submitted documents, namely Borang Tuntutan Saguhati Mengajar di Bawah Rancangan Kelas Takmir Masjid dan Surau,which she knew contained statements that were false, with the intention of deceiving her principal, (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) to make claims amounting RM16,800 for an activity that was not conducted.

The woman, who was not accredited to teach and receive allowance as “Guru Takmir” (religious teacher) was charged with committing the offence at the Kluang District Kadi Office between January 2015 and September 2016.

The charge, under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, provides an imprisonment for up to 20 years and fine of not less than five times the sum of the claim, or RM10,000, whichever is higher upon conviction.

Kamarudin allowed the woman bail of RM20,000 in one surety and also ordered her to report herself at the nearest MACC office every month.

The court set Oct 15 for mention.

Prosecuting officer from MACC, khwan Ihsan Jalaludin prosecuted, while Norlizah, who has three children and with a monthly salary of RM2,500, was represented by lawyer Salleh Tugimin.

-- BERNAMA