KUALA LUMPUR: It seems that some people are willing to do anything to avoid paying fines imposed by the National Registration Department (NRD) for losing their identity cards, even if it means lodging false police reports – and risking some jail time.

       Sentul OCPD Asst Comm Beh Eng Lai said a lot of times, people tend to underestimate the resolve of the police in unearthing the truth, with some offenders ending up having to spend a night in the police lock-up when they were found out for lodging false reports.

       When lost identity card (IC) reports are made, police officers will often ask the complainants several times to confirm how they supposedly lost their ICs, he said.

       In the end, these people will end up in the lock-up for a night and charged under Section 182 and Regulation 25(1)(n) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 for failing to produce their IC, he added.

       In the Sentul police district alone, 39 false reports have been lodged by the public from January to March 18, said ACP Beh.

       “All 39 cases have been charged in court under Section 182 of the Penal Code.

       “In 2021, a total of 77 false reports were lodged, but only 71 were charged in court.

       “Some of the cases in 2021 were under ‘no further action’ as they involved school or college students.

       “Most of these people lost their IC due to negligence, and they think by making a police report, they can avoid paying the NRD fine. Their story usually involves a theft or robbery,