KUCHING: Police have arrested 11 men for allegedly counterfeiting their Covid-19 RT-PCR test result documents, said Sarawak CCID chief Supt Maria Rasid.
She revealed that on Mar 6 and Mar 8, the police received two reports from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) secretariats in regard to the forged documents.
“Following the reports lodged, our department managed to arrest 11 men around the district on Mar 7 and Mar 12.
“The team also confiscated a mobile phone and several SIM cards belonging to one of the suspects.
“It is suspected that a private clinic was involved and it is believed that they offered prices ranging from RM50 to RM100 for the documents,” she said at the daily Covid-19 update press conference.
Currently, eight of them have been released on police bail, while three others who were just arrested are still in lock-up.
Maria noted that investigation papers will be referred to the Sarawak Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office with the proposed case charges in the near future after investigations are completed.
The case will be investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code which provides for imprisonment of not less than a year and not more than ten years, and with whipping, and shall also be liable to a fine.
She urged members of the public who have information or come across suspicious documents pertaining to Covid-19 test results to contact the nearest Health Office immediately.
“Police are taking this issue seriously as it endangers public health.
“Strict actions will be taken against those who break the law. The public should be responsible citizens and are advised not to alter the released Covid-19 screening report,” she told.
Apart from that, health premises or laboratories that offer Covid-19 screening test services, should also be responsible and not falsify the Covid-19 screening test reports issued.
