KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- A former finance officer of a petrol station was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment and fined RM5,000 by the Sessions Court today after pleading guilty to committing criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving over RM180,000 in company funds.
Judge Azrul Darus ordered Siti Nurain Mohamad Ghazali, 37, to serve the custodial sentence from the date of her remand on May 22. He further ordered that she serve an additional six months’ imprisonment in default of settling the fine.
Siti Nurain was accused of misappropriating RM182,884.02 that had been allocated for supplier payments. The offence was committed between April and December 2024 at a petrol station along Jalan Tun Razak.
She was charged under Section 408 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of not less than one year and up to 14 years, with caning, and a fine.
According to the statement of facts, during an audit conducted on February 5, the company discovered discrepancies in its financial records and summoned the accused for questioning.
The court was informed that the accused had misappropriated funds designated for payments to cigarette suppliers between April and December 2024 by systematically transferring the monies into her personal bank account.
In mitigation, Siti Nurain, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a lenient sentence, saying she has young children, is undergoing psychiatric treatment at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, and requires daily medication.
“My husband has lost his source of income. I am responsible for supporting our children, aged eight, 10 and 11. I have repented during the one-month remand and will not repeat this offence,” she said.
Deputy public prosecutor M. Saravanan, however, urged the court to impose a proportionate sentence, arguing that the accused had abused her position for personal gain.
“The misappropriation of such a substantial sum over an extended period reflects a deliberate and sustained course of conduct. Her actions directly impacted the company’s financial standing, as the funds were intended for supplier payments.
“I also urge the court to consider the growing prevalence of abuse of power cases in this country. The sentence should send a clear message to the public, and the court (must uphold its role) as the guardian of justice,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
