KUALA LUMPUR: A security guard has been fined RM21,000 in default 18 months’ jail by the Sessions Court here for making and sending offensive communications against the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak handed down the sentence on Mohd Hairol Ahmad, 41, after he pleaded guilty to the three charges.
Mohd Hairol admitted to making and starting the transmission of malicious communications with the intention of hurting others through Facebook using the profile name “Mohammad Khairolmanshur” between 10.51am and 11.01am on Aug 24.
The three offensive posts by him were read at the Office of the Cyber and Multimedia Crime Investigation Division of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department at the Bukit Aman police headquarters at Menara KPJ here at 6.13pm on the same day.
All the charges were framed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act and punishable according to Section 233(3) of the same Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a maximum imprisonment of one year or both, and a fine of RM1,000 for each day the offences continue after conviction.
Earlier, Mohd Hairol, who was not represented, pleaded with the court to impose a lenient sentence, saying that he regretted his action.
“Your Honour, please forgive me, I acted emotionally and stupidly while at home to upload an offensive status without realising the impact and how serious it was.
“I am the main breadwinner of the family and I will be taking my mother to the hospital to undergo gallbladder surgery this Friday,” he said while sobbing.
However, deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Aling suggested imprisonment and a heavy fine because the offences committed by the accused were serious and also to serve as a warning to the public. — Bernama
