Justice Roszianayati Ahmad held that 41-year-old Lamah Moriba’s conviction under Section 489C of the Penal Code was safe.

“The accused’s defence was a bare denial,” she said.

The court pointed out that Lamah’s defence – that the fake notes belonged to a friend named “Caesar” – was only raised during the defence stage and not during the prosecution’s case.

Lamah claimed the notes belonged to his friend, but “Caesar” was not called to support his defence, the judge said.

Roszianayati also said the four-year custodial sentence against Lamah was not excessive.

According to the facts of the case, Lamah was arrested by police at a shopping mall’s parking lot on March 4, 2020, following a complaint.

He later led police to another vehicle parked at a nearby hotel, where the RM100 notes were found on the passenger seat.

A Bank Negara Malaysia officer certified that all 1,189 notes were counterfeit.

He was found guilty by the sessions court on Aug 14, 2024.