KOTA KINABALU (Nov 14): A 26-year-old man was sentenced to five years in jail and fined RM1,000, in default, three months’ imprisonment for using counterfeit RM50 notes to top up his Touch ‘n Go card.
Sessions Court judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan handed down the sentence to Mohd Noor Hafizan Azlan, who had pleaded guilty when his case was called for facts and sentencing today.
The court was told that on December 19, 2023, between 11am and 11.30am, Hafizan used three fake RM50 notes at a fuel station along Jalan Pintas Donggongon, Penampang.
He was charged under Section 489B of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and may include whipping upon conviction.
Hafizan was ordered to serve the jail sentence from the date of conviction.
He mitigated without a lawyer and asked for leniency, explaining that he is the eldest of four siblings and needed to support his younger brothers and sisters who are still in school.
Deputy public prosecutor Bryan Francis urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, describing the offence as serious.
He said Hafizan had caused a loss of RM150 and the authorities had seized another RM1,220 in counterfeit notes from him.
Bryan added that Hafizan’s actions could negatively affect the national economy and he had previously absconded after jumping bail.
Evidence showed that Hafizan went to the petrol station, bought a reload using the counterfeit notes, and left.
Verification confirmed the notes were fake and CCTV footage captured his actions. A police report led to his arrest along with the additional counterfeit money.
In a separate case, a 30-year-old illegal immigrant was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to receive three strokes of the cane for possessing 27.59 grams of syabu.
Alsan Sadni admitted to having the drugs on May 25 this year at around 6.30pm by the roadside in Kampung Lok Bonu, Sepanggar, Manggatal.
After serving his jail term, Alsan will be referred to the Immigration Department for further action.
The post Man jailed, fined for using counterfeit money to top up Touch ‘n Go card appeared first on Borneo Post Online.