MELAKA: A former Tourism, Art and Culture Ministry state director has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of submitting false claims relating to the supply of a main marquee tent and stage for a sporting event.
The accused, Yeow Chin Chai, 43, entered his plea before Judge Elesabet Paya Wan on Thursday (March 18).
Based on the statement sent by the Melaka office of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the accused had allegedly provided false details on Sept 18 last year for the Mount Ophir Ultra Trail 2023 programme organised by the ministry when the items were not supplied for the event.
The fake invoice for the supply items amounted to RM24,000.
The offence was allegedly committed at the ministry’s state office between Sept 18 and Oct 10, 2023.
The charge, framed under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, provides imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the false claim or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecution officers, Sharina Farhana Nor Sa'ari and Fatin Nur Athirah Zainudin prosecuted.
Lawyer Mohd Fadzly Hashim representing the accused, appealed to the court to reduce the bail amount in view that his client has four young children and has to also care for his aging parents.
The court later granted a bail of RM10,000 with one surety and fixed Apr 22 as the next mention date.
