A company owner has pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to six charges of using forged documents to secure government tenders. The case highlights ongoing concerns over integrity and transparency in public procurement processes.
Mohd Safri Ibrahim, 47, entered his plea after the charges were read out before Judge Nor Aziati Jaafar. The court proceedings drew attention to the seriousness of falsifying documents in dealings involving government contracts.
According to the charges, the accused allegedly used falsified quotation forms and bank statements as genuine documents to obtain government tender projects for his company. Such actions, if proven, could undermine fair competition and accountability in the awarding of public works.
The offences were said to have taken place at the Public Works Department (JKR) Muar and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) Muar between August 27, 2019, and February 9, 2021.
The prosecution was carried out under Section 471 of the Penal Code, which is punishable under Section 465 of the same law. If convicted, the accused faces up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Syairah Aqilah Khalil led the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Ahmad Hafiz A. Bakar.
The prosecution proposed bail at RM6,000 for each charge. However, the defence appealed for a lower amount, citing the accused’s unemployment and financial responsibilities, including supporting three school-going children and an elderly mother.
The court granted bail totalling RM24,000 and set May 15 for the next mention of the case.
