Man admits using fake letters to ‘secure’ Datukships for three

MELAKA: A 46-year-old man has pleaded guilty to three charges of using forged documents involving honorific awards from the Melaka government.

Mohamad Nizam Abdul Ghani entered the plea before Magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni here on Fri (Oct 25).

According to the charge sheet, the accused used falsified approval letters for the Darjah Pangkuan Seri Melaka (DPSM), which carries the title of Datuk, to deceive three individuals into thinking he could secure the awards for them.

The offences were committed at a residence in Taman Paya Rumput Perdana here at 11.06pm on Sept 21.

The charges were framed under Section 471 of the Penal Code for fraudulently using as genuine a document known to be false.

The offence is punishable under Section 468 of the same legislation concerning forgery for the purpose of cheating and carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ jail and a fine upon conviction.

DPP Hanis Aliah Ahmad Kamarulnajuib conducted the prosecution while the accused was represented by Kent Tan Chow Teng.

The court granted bail of RM7,000 with one surety and fixed Dec 4 for sentencing.

In a separate proceeding, Mohamad Nizam’s associate Shahrizan Sahauddin, 45, claimed trial to a charge of allegedly forging the documents involving the same individuals at the same time and place.

He was charged under Section 465 of the Penal Code for forgery, which carries a maximum jail term of two years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Lawyer Helmi Hasan represented Shahrizan.

The court set bail at RM4,000 with one surety and fixed Dec 12 for next mention.