Employee of Petronas contractor held over claims he lost wife, 8 kids to Covid-19

 

The man was detained by police for investigation into cheating after his claim went viral on social media. (AFP pic)

PETALING JAYA: An employee of a contractor with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) has been arrested over a claim that he had lost 14 family members to Covid-19.

In a statement, the national oil company said the suspect was also nabbed by police to facilitate investigations into aid he received from the public after his claims.

Petronas said it would extend its fullest cooperation to the authorities.

“We do not condone such misconduct by any of our employees and contractors, who are bound by a strict code of conduct and business ethics while performing services for Petronas and its group of companies.”

Last night, Kota Tinggi police chief Hussin Zamora said they were investigating the false claim, which has since made the rounds on social media, for cheating.

The suspect, who is based in Pengerang in Johor, had claimed that his wife, eight children, mother, sister and brother-in-law had succumbed to the virus between June last year and this month.

This led to  social media users, who had sympathised with his plight, donating him money and even organising a virtual Yasin prayer recital session for him, which was attended by hundreds. - FMT