A MANAGING director of a company pleaded not guilty in the Kuantan Sessions Court today to four counts of submitting false claims for the Penjana Kerjaya 2.0 incentive from the Social Security Organisation (Socso), amounting to RM59,560, two years ago.

M. Sentil Kumar, 38, is accused of having submitted an employment confirmation form to claim incentives between RM8,800 and RM26,660 for 14 individuals who are not employees of SP Agro Industry Sdn Bhd.

He was accused of committing the act at Wisma Perkeso, Kuantan on June 24, 2021.

The offence, under section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, carries a jail term of up to 20 years, a fine of not less five times the value of the claims or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

He also pleaded not guilty to four alternative charges of using fake documents as genuine, under section 471 of the penal code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of two years, or a fine or both.

MACC deputy public prosecutor Rifah Izzati Abdul Mutalif proposed bail of RM30,000, with the additional condition that the accused must report to the MACC office every month and surrender his passport to the court.

Lawyer Vijaya Sandran, who represented Sentil, appealed for a lower bail, on the grounds that his client supported his ailing father and provided good cooperation throughout the investigation.

Judge Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain allowed the accused bail of RM30,000 in one surety and additional conditions, and set November 23 for mention and submission of documents. – Bernama, October 24, 2023.