At least RM33 million in false claims by Kelantan flood victims

As at end of January, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Kelantan has managed to save RM33 million in government funds pertaining to false claims made by flood victims in the state.

Its director, Datuk Abdul Aziz Aban, said there was a decline in the number of aid applications after the commission warned victims against making false claims.

“To my knowledge, the decline wasn’t just in the number of property damages, but in the application for the RM500 special aid as well.

“When we reviewed the list of applications, we found several inconsistencies within the declaration forms,” Abdul Aziz said today.

In Kuala Krai, the number of applications for aid for homes with 100 percent damage declined from 2,030 to 1,615 after the commission warned that those who made false claims can be prosecuted under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

Under the Act, those convicted can be jailed up to 20 years or fined five times the bribery amount, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Besides false claims for property damages, multiple applications for the RM500 financial aid by some victims were also detected.