ALOR GAJAH: A 41-year-old unemployed man has been sentenced to nine months' jail by the Magistrate's Court here after pleading guilty to insulting Islam by desecrating a Quran.
Magistrate Dr Teoh Shu Yee on Thursday (March 19) imposed the sentence on Amir Abdul Malik, who was charged under Section 295 of the Penal Code, after taking into account religious sensitivities as the offence was committed during the holy month of Ramadan.
According to the charge sheet, the accused uploaded a video of himself stepping on the Quran with the intention of insulting Islam on Feb 28 in a house on Jalan Haji Putih, Kampung Durian Daun, Masjid Tanah here.
Dr Teoh said the act was serious as it touched on the sensitivities of Muslims, adding that insults against any religion, whether Islam or otherwise, have the potential to cause harm far greater than physical injury.
"It's even more concerning when such an act is carried out during the month of Ramadan, which is meant to encourage good deeds rather than acts of disrespect," she said.
The court ordered for the nine-month jail term to take effect from the date of the accused's arrest on March 15.
