A former finance assistant collapsed in the Sessions Court here on Wednesday shortly after pleading guilty to one of four charges involving criminal breach of trust (CBT) amounting to RM677,629 belonging to her company.
The accused, Lee Lay Peng, 47, had to be assisted out of the dock by two female police officers after entering the guilty plea before Sessions Court Judge Juraidah Abbas in Courtroom 1.
First Charge Involving RM219,885
According to the charge sheet, Lee was accused of committing criminal breach of trust involving RM219,885 while serving as a finance assistant at Bold Integrated Services Sdn Bhd.
The offence allegedly took place between January 13 and April 5, 2020, at the company’s premises in Jelutong.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Anuarul Hakim Abdul Muen, proposed bail of RM10,000 with one surety and requested the court to impose a condition preventing the accused from interfering with prosecution witnesses.
Judge Juraidah later allowed bail of RM8,000 with one surety, and set April 22 for the submission of documents and the appointment of legal counsel.
Legal observers note that cases involving corporate breach of trust often involve complex financial trails, requiring detailed documentation before sentencing can be determined.
Additional Charges Heard In Separate Court
In a separate proceeding at Sessions Court 2, Lee also pleaded guilty to three additional CBT charges involving RM457,744 before Judge Irwan Suainbon.
Based on the three charges, the accused was alleged to have misappropriated company funds while working in the same position between June 16, 2017 and December 27, 2019, at the company’s premises.
The offences were framed under Section 408 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of between one and 14 years’ imprisonment, whipping, and a possible fine upon conviction.
The prosecution in the second proceeding was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor M Darrshini, while the accused was unrepresented.
Bail Reduced After Plea
During the hearing, the prosecution initially proposed RM30,000 bail for each charge, along with a condition requiring the accused to report to a police station at the beginning of every month.
However, Lee appealed for a lower bail amount, explaining that she is a single mother supporting two children aged 17 and 18 who are still studying.
She also informed the court that she is currently in the process of resolving the matter with the company out of court, including making efforts to return the misappropriated funds.
The court ultimately granted RM30,000 bail for all three charges with one surety.
Sentencing Set For April
The court fixed April 14 for sentencing and the presentation of the case facts, which will determine the final punishment for the offences admitted by the accused.
Cases involving financial misconduct continue to draw public attention, as authorities emphasise accountability and transparency in corporate financial management.
