KOTA KINABALU: A woman, who gave false information when applying to change her MyKad's religious status, was fined RM8,000 in default 18 months' jail.
Nur Sarimah Subuka, 24, committed the offense by submitting a false Kota Kinabalu Syariah court order at the National Registration (NRD) counter here on Sept 12, 2023, at 3.53pm.
She pleaded guilty before magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles.
Nur Sarimah had gone to the NRD's Kota Kinabalu Identification Card Division to amend her MyKad particulars, namely, her religious status and name.
She had submitted the application form with supporting documents, such as her MyKad, birth certificate and an Order for Application to Change Islamic Religious Status from the Kota Kinabalu Syariah High Court for processing.
However, the Putrajaya NRD panel process found that the said order allegedly from the Kota Kinabalu Syariah High Court was false, which led to her arrest and being charged today.
During mitigation, National Legal Aid Foundation counsel Lim Ming Zoong @ Lawrence urged for leniency, saying that the accused is a housewife and has two kids.
Lim said Nur Sarimah was told by an agent that her application to convert from Islam to Christianity would get through as long as there was a payment.
Nur Sarimah wanted to change her religious status to Christianity because she was raised in a broken family.
Her father had abandoned them, and she was raised by her mother, a single mother with a Christian background.
NRD prosecuting officer Mohd Faizal Tahir urged for a deterrent sentence to be imposed on the accused.
"This action has serious implications for the integrity of the legal system and public trust in honesty.
"While admitting fault, her action cannot be taken lightly and must be given attention by the court.
"Failure to impose an appropriate punishment would send the wrong signal to the public and could encourage others to engage in similar activities.
"So we urge the court to consider the serious implications of the defendant's actions and to impose a commensurate punishment as a deterrent and to uphold justice."
It was learnt that the accused paid the fine.