Al-Bukhari Abdullah, 38, of Simpang Ampat, was charged with two counts of misusing Socso funds intended to help cover employee wages.

According to the facts of the case, Socso discovered that Al-Bukhari had on Nov 22 and Dec 5, 2021 obtained Penjana Kerjaya funds for non-existent workers at his company, Vshine Metal & Plastic Trading.

He was charged in the sessions court here under Section 415 of the Penal Code with cheating, which carries a five-year prison term, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

During mitigation, Al-Bukhari’s lawyer, V Parthipan, asked the court to impose a fine instead of prison time, saying his client was a first-time offender.

He said Al-Bukhari was a single parent, caring for two children aged three and one, after his wife left him and later filed for a divorce.

Parthipan said Al-Bukhari’s scrap metal business closed down several months ago and he was being sued by a bank for RM128,000 in unpaid loans.

He said Al-Bukhari was now a lorry driver doing odd-jobs to try and make ends meet, and had a large credit card debt.

“My client has realised the severity of the offence and has vowed not to do it again. He has also saved the court’s time by pleading guilty. He is willing to pay about RM30,000 to RM40,000 in fines pooled from his family and friends,” he said.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin agreed that Al-Bukhari should not be jailed since he was a first-time offender, but asked for a fine of at least RM50,000.

“The offence was premeditated, not (committed at the) spur-of-the-moment. Hence, the fine should not be too light,” he said.

Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah fined Al-Bukhari RM10,000, or in default three months’ jail, on the first charge and RM35,000, or in default six months’ jail, on the second.