Kota Kinabalu: A government officer was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment and fined RM249,900 by the Sessions Court here after being found guilty of two counts of abusing her position related to a Covid-19 frontliner food supply contract.
The court found that she had misused her position for personal gain during the pandemic, awarding contracts without proper procedures.
Monica Gualin, 54, who was then serving as an Assistant District Officer (Administration) at the Kuala Penyu District Office, was found guilty and convicted by Judge Jason Juga on both charges.
On the first count, Monica was jailed six months and fined RM75,000 or 18 months’ jail for using her position to obtain RM15,000 gratification for herself by proposing Zailin Company to undertake the supply of food and beverages for frontliners during the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Kuala Penyu.
The charge stated that the company, owned by her niece, Zailin Faliza subsequently received RM49,800 from the Beaufort District Treasury Branch as a result of her recommendation.
On the second charge, Monica was jailed six months and fined RM174,900 or 24 months’ jail for abusing her position to secure gratification amounting to RM34,980 for her niece through the same contract.
Monica committed the offences on March 17, 2020, at Kuala Penyu District Office, in relation to a matter in which she had a vested interest, as the company owner was her close relative.
Each charge under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, on conviction.
The court ordered Monica to serve the jail sentence concurrently.
However, Monica managed to obtain a stay of execution of the jail and fine sentence pending her appeal to the High Court.
Eleven prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses testified throughout the trial.
On April 23, this year, Monica was ordered to enter her defence against the charge.
The prosecution was conducted by MACC Prosecuting Officers Joe Randy Juster and Norsham Saharom.
Monica was represented by counsel Datuk Norbert Chin.
The court found that she had misused her position for personal gain during the pandemic, awarding contracts without proper procedures.
Monica Gualin, 54, who was then serving as an Assistant District Officer (Administration) at the Kuala Penyu District Office, was found guilty and convicted by Judge Jason Juga on both charges.
On the first count, Monica was jailed six months and fined RM75,000 or 18 months’ jail for using her position to obtain RM15,000 gratification for herself by proposing Zailin Company to undertake the supply of food and beverages for frontliners during the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Kuala Penyu.
The charge stated that the company, owned by her niece, Zailin Faliza subsequently received RM49,800 from the Beaufort District Treasury Branch as a result of her recommendation.
On the second charge, Monica was jailed six months and fined RM174,900 or 24 months’ jail for abusing her position to secure gratification amounting to RM34,980 for her niece through the same contract.
Monica committed the offences on March 17, 2020, at Kuala Penyu District Office, in relation to a matter in which she had a vested interest, as the company owner was her close relative.
Each charge under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, on conviction.
The court ordered Monica to serve the jail sentence concurrently.
However, Monica managed to obtain a stay of execution of the jail and fine sentence pending her appeal to the High Court.
Eleven prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses testified throughout the trial.
On April 23, this year, Monica was ordered to enter her defence against the charge.
The prosecution was conducted by MACC Prosecuting Officers Joe Randy Juster and Norsham Saharom.
Monica was represented by counsel Datuk Norbert Chin.