A suspected fake medical certificate (MC) syndicate operating in Pekan has been uncovered after police arrested two men and a woman believed to be involved in the illegal sale of medical leave documents.
The trio, aged between 30 and 33, were detained during coordinated raids carried out around Kampung Marhum and Kampung Kuala Pahang on Monday. Authorities believe the suspects acted as intermediaries, connecting buyers with fraudulent MC suppliers.
Pekan District Police Chief Superintendent Mohd Zaidi Mat Zin revealed that the investigation began after the Pekan District Health Office (PKD) received information on 12 May regarding the alleged sale of MCs within the district. The tip-off reportedly came from an individual who claimed to have purchased an MC from a local man for a fee.
Initial checks by health authorities uncovered several irregularities. The medical certificates were found to bear the name, official stamp and signature of a medical officer who had been transferred to another workplace as far back as 2023.
Further investigations revealed that the serial numbers used on the certificates originated from an official MC booklet previously distributed to a government clinic. The medical officer involved also confirmed that the stamp featured on the documents was an outdated one no longer in use after the transfer.
Police believe the fake MCs were sold at prices ranging from RM50 to RM200 each, making them an attractive option for individuals seeking medical leave without legitimate medical consultation. Such activities not only undermine workplace integrity but also raise concerns over the misuse of official government documents.
According to Mohd Zaidi, early findings suggest the operation was organised, with certain individuals tasked with sourcing customers while others handled the preparation and distribution of the certificates. Investigators are also probing possible abuse of official documents, misuse of stamps and the falsification of MCs for fraudulent purposes.
Police are currently tracking down another suspect believed to be linked to the syndicate. The three arrested individuals are expected to be brought before the Pekan Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for a remand application as investigations continue.
The case is being investigated under Section 468 of the Penal Code for forgery intended for cheating and Section 420 of the same code for cheating.
