Printing company boss held over false claims linked to ex-leader's book

Melaka: A director of a printing company was apprehended on Friday for allegedly submitting false claims amounting to RM100,000 concerning coffee table books for a former state leader. The suspect, aged in his sixties, was taken into custody at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Melaka following his interview.

Magistrate Sharda Shienha Mohd Suleiman subsequently issued a five-day remand order, holding him until August 22. A source disclosed that initial investigations indicated the offense took place in 2021. He is suspected of submitting fraudulent claim forms, providing inaccurate information regarding the design, printing, and delivery of the coffee table books.

However, it is noted that not all the books were actually dispatched. Datuk Adi Supian Shafie, the Melaka MACC director, confirmed the arrest upon inquiry, stating that the case is currently under investigation under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009, which pertains to the submission of false claims. Conviction for this offense is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of at least five times the amount of the false claims, or a minimum of RM10,000, whichever is greater.