Ayer keroh: A Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) officer with the rank of Major pleaded not guilty at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court here today to five charges of submitting false claims documents amounting to more than RM225,000 in connection with the supply of non-existent raw materials two years ago.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, D. Vivekananthan, 43, in his capacity as an agent of the Government of Malaysia, namely the Commanding Officer of the 9th Squadron of the Royal Engineer Regiment (9 SKN RAJD) at Kem Terendak, is accused of using invoices from five different companies with the intent to deceive his principal, the Ministry of Defence. The invoices contained false material details relating to the supply of raw materials for various maintenance and construction works at the camp, with a total value of RM225,018.75, which the accused knew had not actually been supplied.

For the first charge, he is alleged to have used an invoice under the name Jelatok Rimba Enterprise related to the supply of raw materials for three project scopes: the construction of a Skills Training Workshop for personnel, the construction of two squad posts, and the construction of a Type C Vehicle Training Storeroom (KJC), valued at RM80,000. The second charge involves an invoice from WH Technic Resources for the supply of raw materials for maintenance works at the garage of Officers' Mess (BPKP 21) and related works for the 9 SKN RAJD, amounting to RM35,523.75, while the third charge involves an invoice from Sri Bistari Trading for the supply of raw materials for maintenance works at the FAMTO storeroom and related works, totaling RM20,000.

In addition, it also involves an invoice from Subsurf Sdn Bhd for the supply of raw materials for maintenance works at the history room, valued at RM39,950, while the fifth charge relates to the procurement of raw materials for maintenance works at the accommodation block, amounting to RM49,545, under an invoice issued in the name of Fareena Universal. All the offences are alleged to have been committed at the 9 SKN RAJD Office, Kem Terendak, Melaka Tengah, between March 12, 2024, and Nov 19, 2024.

All the charges are framed under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and are punishable under Section 24(2) of the same law. If convicted, the accused faces imprisonment for a term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the false particulars, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

MACC deputy public prosecutor Sharina Farhana Nor Sa'ari proposed bail of RM30,000 for all charges, along with additional conditions that the accused surrender his passport to the court and report to the Melaka MACC office once a month until the disposal of the case. Lawyer P. Thisharmini, representing Vivekananthan, requested minimum bail on the grounds that her client supports a family, has served 18 years in the armed forces, and still hopes to return to duty. Judge Elesabet Paya Wan allowed the man to be released on bail of RM20,000 in one surety for all charges, along with the additional conditions requested by the prosecution, and set June 5 for case mention.