Bernama reported that all 10, aged between 55 and 69, pleaded guilty to the charges read out in separate courts before magistrates Atiqah Mohamed @ Saim, Illi Marisqa Khalizan, MS Arunjothy, Aina Azahra Ariffin, Farah Nabihah Dan, and S Mageswary.

Nine of them – Chok Tin Yong, Theng Lee Ping, Chia Chin Tong, Douglas Chan, KK Thangarajoo, Agbal Ibrahim, Yong Chin Heng, Lim Kok Boon and S’ng Peng Tiong – were charged with knowingly submitting false information in applications for the birth registration of nine babies at several JPN counters in the federal capital from 2004 to 2022.

They were charged under Section 36(b) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957, which provides for a maximum fine of RM2,000 and imprisonment of up to 12 months or both, upon conviction.

Theng and another accused, Gelam Fatimah Meer Ahmad, also pleaded guilty to a charge of applying for an identity card using a birth certificate containing false information at JPN counters in the capital between 2004 and 2022.

The charge, under Regulation 25(1)(b) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007), provides for a maximum prison sentence of three years, a fine of up to RM20,000 or both, upon conviction.

The prosecution was led by JPN prosecuting officers Khairul Afizi Yusof, Zulkarnain Ahmad, Shahedan Taib, Mazrul Azli Matrus, Tengku Hazmi Taqiuddin Ab Aziz, Nor Zarina Zakaria, Nurul Nadiah Zainal Abidin, Ramzi Adnan and Arief Khairee Khairuddin, while some of the accused were represented by lawyers from the National Legal Aid Foundation.