TAWAU: Two civil servants from the Malaysia Volunteer Corps Department (RELA) in Lahad Datu pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here yesterday to charges of making false claims for security patrol and disaster monitoring duty allowances totalling RM29,440, and of abetting the offences, allegedly committed between 2022 and 2023.
Mohamad Ihsan Said, 42, faces three charges of making false claims, while Radzmil Saadan, 38, faces three charges of abetting the making of false claims. Both entered their not guilty pleas after the charges were read to them.
Mohamad Ihsan is accused of submitting claims for security patrol and disaster monitoring allowances during the Northeast Monsoon that contained false particulars — specifically, the number of duty hours stated in the claim forms exceeded the number of hours he actually worked.
The alleged offences were committed at the Sabah RELA Office in Kota Kinabalu in November and December 2022 and January 2023. The total value of the claims was RM29,440. He is charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act (MACCA) 2009 and is punishable under Section 24(2) of the same Act.
Radzmil, who reviewed the claim forms for the patrol duty allowances, is accused of abetting Mohamad Ihsan. The alleged offences were committed at the Lahad Datu RELA Office during the same period. He is charged under Section 28(1)(c) of the MACCA 2009, read together with Section 18 of the same Act, and is punishable under Section 24(2).
If convicted, both men face imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the false particulars, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
The case is being prosecuted by Sabah MACC prosecuting officer Norsham Saharom. Both men are represented by lawyer Nur Hafizah Husna Elahab.
Judge Andi Razalijaya A Dadi fixed 23 October for re-mention. Bail was set at RM10,000 with one surety each. Both accused were also ordered to report to the MACC office every two months and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses. – James Leong
Mohamad Ihsan and Radzmil arriving at the Tawau Sessions Court yesterday.
