SIBU: Five members of a family were jailed 12 months each in a Magistrate's Court after they pleaded guilty to deceiving the Social Security Organisation (Socso) over death claims totalling RM56,690.

       The accused were Engu Jimbau, 67, his wife Suria Anchum, 50, their sons Munan Enji, 31, Richard Enju, 27, as well as Munan's wife, Elvishera Helda, 27.

       Magistrate Punitha Sivaraji also ordered Munan and Richard to be given one stroke of the rotan while also fining Elvishera RM1,000 in default two months' jail.

       The family was charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carried a jail sentence of not less than one year but not more than 10 years, and a fine and whipping.

       According to the facts of the case, on April 5, 2018, Engu and Suria had made false pension claims at the Socso office here for the "death" of Richard, and in doing so dishonestly induced Socso to make payment to them amounting to RM27,028.

       On Sept 18, 2018, the couple submitted another false claim, this time on the "death" of Munan, with Socso later releasing a payment of RM29,662.

       The other accused, Elvishera, had on Jan 11, 2016, made a false report at the central police station on the "death" of Munan. She was fined RM1,000 for the offence.

       On Nov 19 last year, Elvishera also made a false claim at the same Socso office for RM29,662 for her husband's "death".