Jail for woman who made false robbery report to get husband’s attention

PETALING JAYA: A 29-year-old woman in Miri has been sentenced to two months’ jail and fined RM1,000 after pleading guilty to lodging a false robbery report in order to get her husband’s attention.

Miri police chief Farhan Lee Abdullah said the woman had lodged a report claiming she was robbed of jewellery and cash by four unidentified men in a car by the roadside, the Borneo Post reported.

Farhan said the woman, a housewife from Limbang, frequently travelled to Miri to send off her husband, who works offshore near Pulau Melayu. “She later admitted the report had been fabricated and made solely to gain the attention of her husband, who she suspected was having an affair with another woman,” Farhan was quoted as saying.

She claimed to have lost several pieces of jewellery, including a necklace, rings and bracelets, as well as RM350 in cash in the robbery, which allegedly took place at 10pm on May 27 near the Miri Gospel Chapel Church in Pujut.

Farhan said police opened an investigation after the report was lodged, but later found inconsistencies in her statement. He said police also could not find any witnesses to support her claim that the robbery had taken place.

He said police later recovered all the allegedly stolen items, which were hidden in the boot of her vehicle.

On Friday, the woman pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court to a charge of giving false information, which carries a penalty of up to six months’ jail, fine of up to RM2,000, or both.

Farhan said police would take firm action against anyone who deliberately lodged false reports; such acts wasted time, manpower and resources, and could hamper efforts to combat crimes and handle emergencies.