(Kuching, 18th) — A former Lundu post office teller who admitted to embezzling the investment funds of several elderly clients last year was yesterday sentenced by the Sessions Court to 22 years in prison and 24 strokes of the cane.
The 35-year-old accused pleaded guilty before Judge Alice Awang to 52 counts of criminal breach of trust. The offences were charged under Section 408 of the Penal Code, which upon conviction, carries a penalty of 1 to 14 years in prison and mandatory caning.
The court stated that these offences occurred between January 2024 and January 2025 at the Lundu Post Office. After considering the 52 charges, Judge Alice sentenced the accused to a total of 22 years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane.
In another case presided over by Judge Norhisham Mohammad Jaafar, the accused also admitted to an additional 48 charges under the same section, with sentencing set for January 20, 2026.
In addition, the accused pleaded not guilty to another 99 similar charges. Of these, 51 cases, handled by Judge Musli Abdul Hamid, are scheduled for case management on January 22, 2026, while the remaining 48, presided over by Judge Jason Juga, are set for January 26, 2026.
In total, the accused faces 199 charges involving the embezzlement of investment funds amounting to RM 654,300 from 12 elderly victims.
The investigation began after the postal agency discovered a counter staff suspected of misconduct. A Sarawak retail unit officer was appointed to review the Lundu branch’s transaction records between January 2024 and January 2025.
The audit revealed multiple suspicious transactions involving customers aged between 50 and over 80. Investigators found that numerous cash withdrawals ranging from RM 500 to RM 5,000 were processed under the accused’s name.
CCTV footage showed that these withdrawal transactions were carried out by the accused alone, without the account holders present. Investigations confirmed that the accused abused their position as a teller to process withdrawals without verification from the victims.
Subsequent audit reports confirmed a total of 199 unauthorized withdrawal transactions, resulting in losses of RM 654,300 for 12 elderly clients.
The prosecution team for all cases comprised Deputy Public Prosecutors Mohamad Aiman, Ruvina Sini Pandian, Adrianna Maisarah, and Asmawi Nur.
The 35-year-old accused pleaded guilty before Judge Alice Awang to 52 counts of criminal breach of trust. The offences were charged under Section 408 of the Penal Code, which upon conviction, carries a penalty of 1 to 14 years in prison and mandatory caning.
The court stated that these offences occurred between January 2024 and January 2025 at the Lundu Post Office. After considering the 52 charges, Judge Alice sentenced the accused to a total of 22 years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane.
In addition, the accused pleaded not guilty to another 99 similar charges. Of these, 51 cases, handled by Judge Musli Abdul Hamid, are scheduled for case management on January 22, 2026, while the remaining 48, presided over by Judge Jason Juga, are set for January 26, 2026.
In total, the accused faces 199 charges involving the embezzlement of investment funds amounting to RM 654,300 from 12 elderly victims.
The investigation began after the postal agency discovered a counter staff suspected of misconduct. A Sarawak retail unit officer was appointed to review the Lundu branch’s transaction records between January 2024 and January 2025.
The audit revealed multiple suspicious transactions involving customers aged between 50 and over 80. Investigators found that numerous cash withdrawals ranging from RM 500 to RM 5,000 were processed under the accused’s name.
CCTV footage showed that these withdrawal transactions were carried out by the accused alone, without the account holders present. Investigations confirmed that the accused abused their position as a teller to process withdrawals without verification from the victims.
Subsequent audit reports confirmed a total of 199 unauthorized withdrawal transactions, resulting in losses of RM 654,300 for 12 elderly clients.
The prosecution team for all cases comprised Deputy Public Prosecutors Mohamad Aiman, Ruvina Sini Pandian, Adrianna Maisarah, and Asmawi Nur.