KUALA LUMPUR: A visually impaired man has pleaded not guilty to charges of submitting a fraudulent RM1 million insurance claim, as presented in the Magistrate’s Court today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tan Kok Guan, 52, was accused of deliberately injuring his left eye to obtain the substantial insurance payout. The alleged incident took place in Kampung Gajah between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on June 8, 2023. Tan, an unemployed father of three, faced the charges before Magistrate Siti Zulaikha Nordin @ Ghani.

Tan is also charged with deceiving an insurance company by allegedly making a fraudulent claim that resulted in a deposit of RM4,153.57 being transferred to his Maybank account. This offense was purported to have occurred between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in Kampung Paya on July 20, 2023.

Both charges are under Section 420 of the Penal Code, read with Section 511, potentially leading to a prison sentence of up to 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Airina Syazreena Zainurin suggested a bail amount of RM16,000 for both charges. However, Tan’s lawyer, Yaw Xinping, requested a reduced bail, citing Tan’s unemployment and reliance on his wife’s income for family support. Yaw highlighted Tan’s disabilities, including his blindness in the left eye, heart disease, and stroke, noting his cooperation with the police during the investigation.

The court granted a reduced bail of RM10,000 in one surety for both charges. The case is scheduled for mention and submission of documents on February 20.