Tan Eek Ming, 44, along with businessmen Leong Hon Ming, 52, and Khor Wooi Huat, 48; as well as housewives Beh Chui See, 31, and R Nishanthi, 37, pleaded guilty after the charges were read before magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin, Berita Harian reported.

The court also ordered a three-month prison sentence if they failed to pay the fine. However, all five settled the penalty.

According to the charges, each of the accused had separately submitted false information when filling up the Birth Registration Form (JPN.LM01), leading to the issuance of birth certificates.

The offences took place at the birth, death and adoption division counter at JPN between 8am and 5pm from May 26, 2023, to Oct 11, 2024.

They were charged under Section 36(1)(b) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957, which carries a maximum fine of RM20,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.

The prosecution was led by JPN officers Zulkarnain Ahmad and Nor Fadilah Mat Shaari. Only three of the five accused were represented by legal counsel.

In the same court, a student who holds a disability card, pleaded not guilty to the same charge.

Ummu Salmah Mohamed Ibrahim, 25, is accused of providing false information when registering the birth of a baby girl born on Aug 12, 2024, resulting in a birth certificate issued on Sept 11, 2024.

Irza Zulaikha then set April 22 for case mention and document submission.