Technician jailed six months for insulting Islam

KUALA LUMPUR: A technician was sentenced to six months in jail and fined RM12,000 over an insulting Facebook post on the controversial socks issue.

Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin also ordered the prison sentence on Chiok Wai Loong, 35, to begin from the date of his arrest on March 20 after he pleaded guilty to insulting Islam.If he fails to pay the fine, he has to serve an additional three months’ imprisonment.

Chiok was charged with posting an offensive content on Facebook related to the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” under the profile name ‘Chiok Wai Loong’ on March 18.

The charge framed under Section 231(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and punishable under subsection 233(3) of the same Act, carries a maximum one-year in jail, a fine of up to RM50,000 or both, upon conviction.

Earlier during the proceedings, deputy public prosecutor Datin Kalmizah Salleh pressed for a severe sentence, saying that 24 police reports were lodged following the accused’s action, Bernama reported.

She said the post was disrespectful to Islam.

In Malaysia, where people follow different religions, showing respect is crucial and should not be ignored, she added.

In mitigation, Chiok, who was unrepresented, said he had no intention to insult and was unaware that his words could be interpreted as such.

“I’m what you might call a keyboard warrior... but I never meant to hurt anyone with my post.

“It was just a hobby for me, and I didn’t realise it would upset anyone,” he said while appealing not to be sent to jail.

On Thursday, it was reported that police had arrested a man to assist in investigations in connection with a social media post that allegedly insulted Islam following the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” at a KK Super Mart convenience store.