2 days ago
RM800k varsity scam: Ex-registrar claims trial to falsifying documents
KUALA LUMPUR: A former registrar of a private university claimed trial at the Sessions Court today to 36 charges of falsifying authorisation letters with the intention of cheating the Perlis-based educational institution out of RM826,481.29 between 2022 and 2023.
The accused, Mohd Fairuz Al-Fatah Badarudin, 40, pleaded not guilty to each charge when they were read out before judge Suzana Hussin.
The father of 10-year-old twins is alleged to have committed the offences at a bank in Jalan Raja Chulan between June 2022 and July 2023.
He is charged under Section 468 of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to seven years and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Fariz Abdul Hamid offered bail of RM100,000 in one surety for all charges.
In mitigation, National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer G. Sivajothi Pillai appealed for a lower bail amount.
"He is currently employed as a human resources lecturer earning RM2,600 per month.
"His wife, aged 40, sustained a broken leg in an accident and relies on a walking stick. She will act as his bailor. The family can only afford RM10,000 bail.
"He had contributed significantly during his tenure at the previous university. We urge the court to consider his financial situation in determining the bail amount," she said.
Fairuz, who stood in the dock, also made a personal plea.
"I am the sole breadwinner for my family. I have just secured a stable, albeit low-paying, job.
"My wife is unemployed and still undergoing treatment for her injury.
"I have cooperated fully with the authorities from the start. I am currently on RM10,000 bail under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission," he said.
Suzana set bail at RM15,000 in one surety and ordered the accused to surrender his passport to the court until the case is concluded.
Mention was fixed for July 17.
