A former headmaster has been sentenced to five years in prison and fined RM100,000 by the Shah Alam Sessions Court after being found guilty of misusing RM75,000 of zakat funds for personal purposes four years ago.

Judge Rozilah Salleh imposed the sentence on 56-year-old Mohamed Nor Azmi Darno after the defense failed to raise reasonable doubt regarding the three charges of criminal breach of trust.

According to Harian Metro, the court also ordered an additional 10-month imprisonment if the accused failed to pay the fine.

Background and Charges:

The accused, who was serving as a headmaster at a primary school in Sungai Buloh at the time, was charged with misappropriating zakat funds from Malaysia Building Society Berhad, totaling RM5,000, RM40,000, and RM30,000, respectively, intended for underprivileged students during Aidilfitri 2019.

The accused was alleged to have misused the funds for personal purposes and failed to distribute them to the intended beneficiaries, the underprivileged students of the school.

The Offense and Legal Proceedings:

The offense took place at a bank branch in Saujana Utama, Sungai Buloh, on June 17th and 19th, 2019.

The prosecution charged the accused under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment, whipping, and a fine.

Conclusion:

The conviction and sentencing of the former headmaster highlight the serious consequences of misusing zakat funds, which are intended to assist those in need. The court's decision serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding integrity and transparency in managing public funds. Such cases demonstrate the commitment to combatting corruption and ensuring that resources reach their intended beneficiaries. Moving forward, it is crucial for individuals entrusted with public funds to act responsibly and ethically, respecting the purpose and intended recipients of such funds.