Datuk fined RM60,000 for submitting false documents involving Mitra claims

KUALA LUMPUR - A company director with a 'Datuk' title was fined RM60,000 by the Sessions Court, here, today, for submitting documents containing false details related to the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra), two years ago.

Judge Azura Alwi handed down the fine to Datuk B. Reghu, 63, after he changed his plea to guilty on three alternative charges.

The court ordered the accused to serve 21 months in jail if he fails to pay the fine.

According to the charges, Reghu had used two invoices dated Nov 25 and Dec 18, 2019, amounting to RM25,000 and a RM5,000 payment voucher dated Nov 29, the same year, as genuine even though he knew that the documents were fake.

He committed the offences at Mitra, Putrajaya on May 5, 2021.

The charges framed under Section 471 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 465 of the same code carries a maximum imprisonment of two years, or a fine, or both, if convicted.

For another 20 optional charges previously faced by Reghu involving false documents were considered as 'take into consideration' (TIC) offences under Section 171A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd 'Afif Ali conducted the prosecution while lawyer Hamidi Mohd Nor represented the accused.

On Feb 18, Reghu pleaded not guilty to 35 counts of submitting documents containing false details involving Mitra funds totalling RM276,625.

He also faced 23 optional charges under Section 471 involving RM100,625 of funds from Mitra.