KOTA BHARU — Five company owners and a manager claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today to a combined 14 charges of submitting falsified claims to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 wage incentive scheme.
The six accused are Saipuddin Mohamad, 47; Nur Shahalwani Ab Hamid, 37; Eadzelin Azmi, 41; Faiz Harith Hazman, 30; alongside father-and-son duo Nik Araman Yusoff, 54, and Nik Afiq Rifqi Nik Araman, 29.
They pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out separately before Judge Dazuki Ali.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly submitted Daya Kerjaya 2.0 employee verification forms containing false particulars to PERKESO officers with the intention to deceive the agency. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations revealed that the companies declared several non-existent individuals as active employees to draw incentive funds.
The alleged offences occurred at various locations across Kota Bharu between May 18 and October 9, 2024.
Breakdown of Charges
- Saipuddin Mohamad (47): Faces 6 counts.
- Nur Shahalwani Ab Hamid (37): Faces 4 counts.
- Nik Afiq Rifqi Nik Araman (29): Faces 1 count.
- Nik Araman Yusoff (54): Faces 1 count.
- Eadzelin Azmi (41): Faces 1 count.
- Faiz Harith Hazman (30): Faces 1 count.
All charges were framed under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 and are punishable under Section 24(2) of the same Act. Upon conviction, the offenders face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of at least five times the false claim amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Broader MACC Crackdown
The Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme provides employers with a monthly RM1,500 wage incentive per worker for up to six months when hiring job seekers from vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, former prisoners, and persons with disabilities.
The court cases follow an extensive nationwide probe by MACC into suspected abuses of the government hiring incentive scheme, involving over RM45 million in fraudulent claims across the country.
Bail and Next Mention
MACC Deputy Public Prosecutors Mariah Omar and Asmah Che Wan requested bail set at RM15,000 per person with one surety, alongside orders for the accused to report monthly to the MACC office and refrain from contacting prosecution witnesses.
All the accused were represented by counsel except Nur Shahalwani.
Judge Dazuki granted bail ranging between RM8,000 and RM14,000 for each accused and set September 13, 2026, for case mention.
