2 months’ jail for former People’s Association employee who misappropriated over $8k

SINGAPORE – For almost one year, a People’s Association (PA) employee misappropriated money meant for the Residents’ Network.

On June 17, Maslina Mohd Yusof, 30, who is no longer with the PA, pleaded guilty to criminal breach of trust and was sentenced to two months’ jail.

The court heard that Maslina was employed by the PA in August 2021 and became a residents’ committee (RC) manager at the Residents’ Network in November 2022.

As an RC manager, her job included ensuring that any fees or payments paid to the Residents’ Network were properly collected from participants of courses, events or interest groups, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Benjamin Low.

When payment was made in cash, Maslina was responsible for collecting the money and ensuring that it was deposited into the bank account of the Residents’ Network within seven days.

She was also required to put up statements of accounts for projects at the Residents’ Network.

In March 2023, Maslina began misappropriating some of the money collected.

For instance, she would siphon off a portion of the money instead of depositing the full amount into the bank account.

To avoid detection, she delayed depositing the remaining money on each occasion to give herself time to return the sum she had taken.

The full deposit would then be made after the seven-day deadline had passed, resulting in it being recorded as a late payment.

But on multiple occasions, Maslina was unable to replenish the cash she had taken, DPP Low said.

The prosecutor added that Maslina had used the misappropriated cash for her personal expenses, as she was experiencing financial difficulties.

Between March 2023 and February 2024, she misappropriated a total of $8,375. She has since made full restitution to the Residents’ Network.

Her acts came to light when checks were made and money meant for payment to the Residents’ Network was unaccounted for.

Calling for a sentence of at least two to three months’ jail, DPP Low said: “As RC manager, she was a public servant and was directly responsible for ensuring the timely collection and depositing of fees and payments collected from constituents, which were meant for the Residents’ Network.”

He added: “Her actions had the potential to cause public disquiet and lower the standing of the PA and its employees in the eyes of the public.”

Maslina’s defence lawyer, Mr Jared Lee, sought two months’ jail, noting that this was his client’s first brush with the law.

He said Maslina was going through a stressful period during the time of the offences and has since taken active steps to make things right.

In response to The Straits Times’ queries, PA said it takes a serious view of the offences committed by Maslina.

“When PA learnt of her actions, we lodged a police report and took immediate action to prevent her from further handling funds. She is no longer a PA staff (member),” the spokesman said.

Those who commit criminal breach of trust can be jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both.