SEPANG: A man was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by the Sessions Court here on Wednesday (Nov 11) after pleading guilty to publishing an offensive post directed at the Prime Minister on Facebook in March this year.
Judge Raja Shahril Anuar Raja Baniamin handed down the sentence to Mohamed Shazrin Jamil, 35, after he entered his guilty plea.
According to the charge, Mohamed Shazrin knowingly created and initiated a post deemed offensive through the Facebook account "Shazrin Kedah", with the intention of causing annoyance to others.
The offence was committed at about 6.15 pm on March 12, and the post was subsequently viewed at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) headquarters in Cyberjaya, Selangor.
The charge was framed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, punishable under Section 233(2) of the same Act.
Upon conviction, the provision carries a maximum fine of RM500,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. The offender may also be fined RM5,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab, representing the MCMC, urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence in the public interest and to deter the accused and others from committing similar offences.
He said a stern sentence would serve as a lesson to the accused and a warning to the public against engaging in such conduct.
However, defence counsel Amer Haiqal Mohd Yusof sought a lighter sentence, citing his client's responsibility for caring for both his parents, who have health problems.
Mohamed Shazrin was subsequently taken to Kajang Prison to serve his sentence. — Bernama
