A former Pahang National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) director and a cultural performer were each sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined RM10,000 after being found guilty of falsifying a payment order five years ago.
Sessions Court Judge Sazlina Safie ruled that Dayang Kartini Awang Bujang, 49, and Mardziana Che Mohd Amin, 39, would serve an additional six months’ jail if they fail to pay the fine.
The duo was charged with falsifying a payment order for the procurement of mouse-deer headgear accessories (set kepala pelanduk) under the name of Anas Niaga, valued at RM9,920, despite knowing that the company was not involved. The offence occurred at the Pahang JKKN office on June 26, 2020.
They were charged under Section 468 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry represented the prosecution.
In mitigation, Dayang Kartini’s lawyer highlighted that her client, who receives half her monthly salary, supports four children, including one with a vision impairment. Mardziana’s counsel noted that she has three school-going children and a husband with heart problems.
The prosecution described the offence as serious, emphasizing that the mouse-deer headgear was never supplied and that both accused knowingly bypassed government procedures.
Judge Sazlina allowed a stay of execution pending an appeal to the High Court and increased bail for both from RM10,000 to RM12,000 each. Sixteen witnesses had testified during the trial, which began following their charge on Jan 20, 2022.
