PETER Anthony has filed an appeal against a High Court decision to uphold his conviction and sentence for forging letters linked to a mechanical and electrical system maintenance and service contract at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) nine years ago.

The former Sabah infrastructure development minister filed the notice yesterday through Messrs Deva & Associates.

According to the notice of appeal, Peter was dissatisfied with the ruling by High Court judge Ahmad Bache, who upheld the conviction and sentence of three years’ imprisonment and RM50,000 fine in default 15 months’ jail.

His counsel S. Devanandan confirmed the matter when contacted by Bernama.

On April 18, the High Court dismissed Peter’s appeal to set aside the conviction and sentence imposed by the Sessions Court on May 26 last year, in agreement with the judge’s finding that the appellant falsified documents despite knowing the project was awarded via open tender.

In June last year, Peter filed an appeal at the Kuala Lumpur High Court against the prison sentence and fine imposed by Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi, who found him guilty of the charges.

Peter, as the managing director of Syarikat Asli Jati Sdn Bhd, was charged with falsifying a letter from the UMS deputy vice-chancellor’s office, dated June 9, 2014, which included false statements with the intention to deceive.

The offence committed in the office of the prime minister’s principal private secretary at Perdana Putra, Putrajaya, between June 13 and August 21, 2014, was framed under section 468 of the penal code, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of seven years and a fine.

The Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Malaysia president has paid the RM50,000 fine. – April 20, 2023.