MIRI: A former Welfare Department finance assistant was charged in the Sessions Court here today with six counts of money laundering involving nearly RM1.2 million allegedly misappropriated from welfare assistance funds intended for beneficiaries in Miri.
Terrance Jamba Noel Nyabong, 44, pleaded not guilty to all six charges brought under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001).
The charges stem from an alleged scheme in which welfare payments were diverted into the accused’s personal bank account between February 2022 and January 2023, causing losses of RM1,197,700 to the Welfare Department’s Miri Division.
According to investigators, the alleged irregularities were uncovered after complaints from welfare recipients who claimed they had not received assistance payments due to them in December 2022.
Subsequent checks revealed that the accused, who was attached to the department’s finance unit, allegedly exploited his access to internal payment systems by creating records of purported beneficiaries who were not listed as genuine recipients.
Investigators alleged that payment invoices were processed and approved through the department’s financial management system before the accused’s personal details and bank account information were inserted into bulk payment records, enabling funds to be channelled into accounts under his control.
The alleged activities are said to have taken place over an 11-month period from February 2022 until January 2023.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating the case.
If convicted, those found guilty under Section 4(1)(b) of AMLATFPUAA 2001 face substantial fines and imprisonment.
The case has drawn attention because it involves funds earmarked for welfare recipients, many of whom depend on government assistance for their daily living expenses.
The court fixed a later date for further mention of the case.
