A Malaysia woman has pleaded guilty in court after being charged with misappropriating company funds for around hundreds of thousands of ringgit over several years.
Ex-financial assistant faces multiple breach-of-trust charges
The 47-year-old accused, Lee Lay Peng, admitted to several charges of criminal breach of trust involving a total of RM677,629 in company funds. She worked as a finance assistant at a company in Jelutong, admitted to four charges of misappropriating company funds between several years.
Funds taken over several years
According to the charges, the woman is accused of misusing company funds repeatedly between 2017 and 2020 when she worked as a financial assistant.
Among the charges presented in the court that she has taken:
- RM104,769 between June 16, 2017 – December 8, 2017
- RM131,044.50 between January 8, 2018 – December 13, 2018
- RM221,931 between January 25, 2019 – December 27, 2019
- RM219,885 between January 13, 2020 – April 5, 2020
The total amount involved in the case reached RM677,629.
The accused was charged under Section 408 of the Malaysian Penal Code, which includes a maximum penalty for up to 14 years of jail and possible fines.
Tearfully pleaded with the judge for mercy
During the hearing at the Session Court in George Town, the woman reportedly became emotional and cried to appeal for lower bail.
She told the court that she is suffering from depression and currently undergoing medication treatment, and as a single mother supporting two teenage children (17 and 19 years old) who are still in school.
According to China Press, it is alleged that she nearly fainted at one point while being transported between courts and needed police assistance to continue the proceedings.
Deputy public prosecutor Anuarul Hakim Abdul Muen first proposed bail of RM10,000 for one surety and set April 14 for sentence and the presentation of the case facts.
However, Judge Juraidah then set bail at RM8,000 with one surety and set April 22 for document submission.
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