THE Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today fined a financial administrative assistant based at the Naval Headquarters RM20,000 for using forged documents to apply for catering services for two programmes at the Defence Ministry (Mindef).

Judge Rozina Ayob meted out the fine, in default 30 days in jail, on Norshuhada Ismail, 35.

Before handing down the sentence, Rozina told Noshuhada that as a mother, she should be a role model for her children.

The woman was charged as a Mindef agent to have conspired with the manager of Mieza Jaya Global Enterprise, Nordin Yaakop, 59, by using as genuine a document, namely the “Kertas Kerja Permohonan Perkhidmatan Sajian bagi Kursus Bijak Urus Wang dan Bengkel Memperkasakan Modal Insan” in March 2022 amounting to RM15,776, to deceive the ministry.

The offence was committed at the office of the Responsibility Centre, Human Resource Development Division, Naval Headquarters, Mindef, between February and March 2022.

The charge, under section 471 of the penal code, carries a maximum prison sentence of two years, with a fine or both.

Earlier, prosecuting officer Afiqah Ab Razak from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission requested an appropriate punishment as a lesson for the accused, a civil servant who manages procurement.

“It is a noble profession that should not be tainted by criminal elements,” she said.

Meanwhile, Norshuhada, who was unrepresented, pleaded to not be sent to jail on grounds she was supporting her family and has three young children.

“This is my first mistake. I repent and regret my actions and promise not to commit the same mistake. With this punishment, I will be subject to disciplinary action and fired from Mindef, where I have served for more than 10 years.

“I will also lose my source of income and home as I’m now living in government quarters,” she added.

She paid the fine. – Bernama, November 7, 2023.