A former director of the Malaysian Intellect Development Foundation (MIDF) was fined RM85,000, in default six months jail, over the falsification of a payment voucher on expenditure under the Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) funds, at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today.

Judge Suzana Hussain meted out the fine on SS Vijaya Kumar, 47, after he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of using as genuine a forged document to obtain funds meant for the Tamil Schools Post-Covid-19 Assistance (TAS-Covid) programme.

According to the charge, Vijaya was accused of using a forged document, which is a MIDF payment voucher dated Nov 24, 2020, amounting to RM75,000 for the supply of hand sanitiser, which he had reason to believe was false.

An investigation found that the company named in the payment voucher did not supply the hand sanitiser as claimed.

The offence was committed at Mitra, National Unity Ministry, Lebuh Perdana Timur A, Federal Government Administration Centre, Putrajaya on July 2, 2021.

He was charged under Section 471 of the Penal Code, which carries imprisonment for up to two years or a fine or both.

During mitigation, Vijaya, unrepresented, said he regretted his action and that he cooperated with the MACC during his six-day remand.

“There were no financial transactions from the Mitra programme into my account and I have resigned from all positions at MIDF. Now I work as an independent consultant and my income is not stable," he added.

Deputy public prosecutor A Kalaivani prosecuted.

- Bernama

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