A 52-year-old unemployed man, Tan Kok Guan, has been charged with allegedly injuring his left eye in an attempt to secure a fraudulent insurance claim worth RM1 million (approx. 303,643.57 SGD).
The case was heard at the Magistrate’s Court in Butterworth, Penang, on December 30, 2024, where Tan pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Alleged Incident and Fraudulent Claim
The incident is said to have taken place on June 8, 2023, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Kampung Paya, Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia.
Tan, who is a person with a disability (OKU), is alleged to have intentionally injured his left eye to submit a false accident insurance claim.
According to Sinar Harian, he attempted to deceive an insurance company by filing a fraudulent claim. As part of the scheme, he allegedly convinced the company to deposit RM4,153.57 (approx. 1,261.22 SGD) into his bank account.
The Legal Proceedings
Tan faces charges under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with fraud, in conjunction with Section 511 for attempting to commit a crime.
In court, Tan’s lawyer requested that the court set a minimal bail amount, emphasizing that Tan had been unemployed since 2023, and suffers from several chronic health issues, including heart disease and stroke.
His left eye is also blind, further adding to his challenges.
Financial Struggles and Family Support
Tan’s lawyer pointed out that all of the family’s expenses are currently borne by his wife, as Tan has not been able to work due to his health and disability.
The lawyer requested that Tan be granted a minimal bail due to his personal circumstances, highlighting that he had fully cooperated throughout the investigation.
Next Steps
The case has been adjourned, with the next hearing scheduled for February 2025 for document review.
The allegations against Tan remain under investigation, and the court will continue to examine the details of the case.
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