Top marine scientist in the dock over dodgy diving trip claims

KOTA KINABALU: A University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) professor was slapped with 21 charges of making false transport claims for purposes of marine research.

The 54-year-old Prof Dr Charles Santhanaraju Vairappan, 54, (pic) pleaded not guilty to all the charges before Special Corruption Court Judge Abu Bakar Manat here Wednesday (July 20).

Vairappan, who is from Penang and has worked with UMS since 2013, had allegedly made claims totalling RM66,190 through various receipts for boat charters, diving and other trips meant to carry out the university's marine studies and research.

However, there were no such expenditures which were claimed in various amounts ranging from RM300 to RM600 between 2014 and 2017.

He was charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act (MACC) 2009 which carries a maximum 20-year jail term and a fine five times the amount involved or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Judge Abu Bakar allowed for Vairappan to be released on RM20,000 bail with RM10,000 deposited and one local surety. He was also to surrender his international passport and report to the MACC office.

The court fixed Sept 6 for case management.

The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nartiah Mirchelle Sambatan while Vairappan was represented by Zahir Shah and Baldev Singh.

Varaippan had worked as a lecturer at UMS's Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation.

In 2020, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia awarded Vairappan the Top Research Scientist of Malaysia for his contribution in the promotion of a culture of excellence in science, technology and innovation.