Three plead guilty, three others claim trial for allegedly using fake MCs

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Three men pleaded guilty to using fake sick leave certificates while three women decided to claim trial to the same charges at the Bukit Mertajam Magistrate's Court on Monday (March 29).

All six are workers at a factory in Bukit Minyak, Seberang Prai, and were charged for the offences between October last year and February this year in two Magistrate's Courts here.

Before Magistrate Mohd Zaki Abd Rahman, Mohamad Hafizi Zainuddin, 28, and Muhammad Amir Md Ishak, 19, pleaded guilty to the charge of using a fake sick leave certificate with knowledge of it being forged, dated Oct 26,2020, and Feb 22,2021, respectively.

Both men pleaded guilty to the charge.

Based on the charge sheet, the forgeries were said to have occured at a company named EMS M Engineering Medical System Sdn Bhd in Seberang Prai.

The charge was filed under Section 465 of the Penal Code which imposes a maximum jail term of two years and a fine, or both.

Lawyer Abdul Nasir Wahid from the state Legal Aid Foundation represented the men.

In mitigating their sentence, Abdul Nasir said Hafizi earned RM1,400 and although single, cared for his parents.

"His father does not work and is asthmatic.

"He has four siblings, two of whom are still studying.

"By pleading guilty, he has saved the court time and expense," he said.

Abdul Nasir said Amir was only 19-years-old and earned RM1,400.

"He has been in remand for five days and has a father with high blood pressure," he said.

Deputy Public Prosecutor M. Kalaivaanan said as it was a serious offence to knowingly use a forged document, the men should be given jail time and a hefty fine.

Magistrate Zaki fined both men RM2,700 each and sentenced the duo to five days’ jail from the date of arrest on March 23.

Factory worker Nurul Izzah Abdul Razak, 21, on the other hand, pleaded not guilty to the charge in the same court.

She is charged with the same offence on Feb 13,2021, at the same location.

Deputy Public Prosecutor M. Kalaivaanan asked for bail to be set at RM9,000.

Mohd Zaki set RM5,000 bail with one surety after her lawyer Muhammad Zayumi Mohd Yusof said she was now no longer employed and was dependent on her sister, who is the sole breadwinner.

"She lives with her parents and sister, who will post bail.

"Her sister will ensure that she appears in court," he said.

Magistrate Zaki set May 3 for case mention.

Meanwhile, before Magistrate Sri Pracha Nanthini Balabedha, Muhamad Zulhakimi Masdi, 23, pleaded guilty to the same charge at the same location for a forged sick leave certificate dated Dec 26,2020.

Sri Pracha Nanthini fined him RM3,500 and sentenced him to five days in jail from the date of conviction after his lawyer Nur Najihah Ahmad Zulkarnain said he earned RM1,400 and was responsible for his unemployed parents.

"He is sorry for his actions," she said.

Both Nur Farah Amira Alisham, 21, and Marsya Fatini Mohd Rani, 20, pleaded not guilty to the same charges.

Nur Farah, who is charged with using a forged sick leave certificate dated Jan 23,2021, was given RM4,000 bail with one surety and told to appear in court on May 3.

Marsya Fatini who pleaded not guilty to two charges dated Feb 4 and Feb 26 this year, for using forged sick leave certificates, was allowed bail of RM4,000 with one surety, for both charges.

Her lawyer Chang Kian Hong said Marsya has two children aged two and four.

"She is still breastfeeding her two-year-old child and only works as an operator at a factory.

"She earns RM1,400 while her husband earns RM1,200," he said.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohammad Nazri Abdul Rahim prosecuted against the three.

Sri Pracha Nanthini set May 3 for case mention.