Afizal Akhirudin, 33, pleaded guilty after the charges were read to him before judge Zulhazmi Abdullah.

He was accused, in his capacity as owner of Jentayu Tujuh Venture, of deceiving the applicants by leading them to believe that he could influence the decisions of the panel of doctors responsible for evaluating medical claims related to Perkeso claims.

According to the charge sheet, Afizal claimed that he could manipulate the results to ensure a higher percentage of approval or compensation for claims, but only under “certain conditions”.

The five applicants then transferred a total of RM188,000 to a Maybank account belonging to the firm.

The offences were allegedly committed in Seberang Jaya between 2017 and 2023.

The charges were brought under Section 417 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.

The case was handled by deputy public prosecutors Noor Azura Zulkiflee and Nurnajihatul Idayu Azuyar, while Afizal was represented by lawyer M Puveneswaran.

Puveneswaran appealed for a minimal fine, saying his client needed to support his parents, and that his father suffered from heart problems.

“Additionally, this is my client’s first offence, and he has shown remorse by signing a pledge not to repeat the offence.

“His decision to plead guilty at the initial stage of the charges has saved time and costs for all parties involved,” he said.

The court then imposed a fine of RM188,000 for all seven charges.

Afizal, accompanied by his family, paid the fine before leaving the court.

In the event of non-payment, he would have faced imprisonment of 54 months.