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 Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
Sessions judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak handed down the sentence on Mohd Hairol Ahmad, 41, on Wednesday (Sept 7) after he pleaded guilty to all three charges he faced.
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 were read at the Office of the Cyber and Multimedia Crime Investigation Division, Commercial Crime Investigation Department, Bukit Aman police headquarters at Menara KPJ here, at 6.13pm the same day.
All the charges were framed under Section 233(1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 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 further fine of RM1,000 for each day the offences continue after conviction.
The accused, who was not represented, pleaded for a lenient sentence during mitigation and said he regretted his actions.
"Your Honour, please forgive me, I acted emotional and stupid 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 gall bladder surgery this Friday," he said, sobbing.
However, DPP Nor Azizah Aling suggested imprisonment and a heavy fine because the offences committed by the accused were serious and to serve as a warning to others. – Bernama