KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 10 individuals have been charged so far with falsifying Covid-19 vaccination certificates, says Deputy Home Minister I Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said.

       He said that there were several laws which could be used against those who forge or falsify vaccination certificates.

       "So far, 10 individuals have been charged and one found guilty.

       "They include four from Perak, two from Sabah, another two from Melaka, and one each from Kelantan and Sarawak," he said when replying a question raised by Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PAS-Setiu) in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Sept 15).

       He said those charged for forging or falsifying their vaccination certificates could face a maximum fine of RM100,000 and a jail sentence of up to seven years, or both, upon conviction.

       He noted that the court in Sarawak had imposed a fine and jail term on the individual after he was found guilty.

       Ismail noted that prosecuting authorities could also issue compound notices of not more than RM10,000 to individuals and not more than RM50,000 to companies if charges are not brought to court.

       He said that the Health Ministry as well as the Science, Innovation and Technology Ministry were working on a verification system to avoid falsification or forging of digital vaccination certificates.

       On a separate matter, Ismail advised foreign students whose visas had expired to contact the Immigration Department to discuss their plight.

       "The students can come to the Immigration Department and we will advise them accordingly," he said.

       Dr Maszlee Malik (IND-Simpang Renggam) raised the issue, saying that he had received complaints from many foreign students who claimed they were forced to leave the country to renew their expired student visas before returning.

       Ismail then asked Maszlee to provide the particulars and further information of the affected students for him to look into the matter.