Woman charged with operating RM1.7mil kootu scheme
ALOR STAR: A woman was charged in the Sessions Court today with organising a tontine (kootu) scheme involving more than RM1.7 million since last year.
A woman, Siti Zulaika Ahmad Sabri, 36, was charged in the Sessions Court with running a tontine (kootu) scheme worth more than RM1.7 million since last year, according to prosecutors. Unrepresented, she pleaded guilty before judge Sharmila Abdul Samad. The scheme, involving 52 participants, saw cash payments made at a house in Kampung Padang Satu, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Changlun, between July 2025 and July this year.
Conviction brings a maximum fine of RM500,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment, according to Section 3 of the Kootu Funds (Prohibition) Act 1971. Public prosecutors Muhammad Fahmi Kamaluddin and Vatchira Wong Rui Fern requested bail at RM100,000, citing the accused's financial means and potential flight risk. However, Sharmila denied bail and set Sept 22 for the case's facts and sentencing, holding the accused at Pokok Sena Prison pending proceedings.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
