KUCHING: A 46-year-old security guard was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment and fined RM50,000, in default two months imprisonment, by the Sessions Court here today for posting a grossly offensive comment on Facebook directed at the Yang di-Pertuan Agong last year
Judge Iris Awen Jon imposed the sentence after the accused, Raden Mohamad Norhakim Raden Ibrahim, pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 provides for a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, upon conviction.
The court ordered him to serve the prison sentence from the date of conviction (June 24) and further ordered that his mobile phone, which was used in the commission of the offence, be forfeited to the government and handed over to the prosecution.
According to the charge, the accused knowingly made and initiated the transmission of a grossly offensive communication through his Facebook account, ‘Raden Mohamad Norhakim’, at a condominium near Lorong Lapangan Terbang here at about 7:27 am on February 12, 2025.
The posting contained remarks alleging that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as Head of the Islamic Religion in Malaysia, had failed to take stern action against those who insulted Islam, and included disparaging references towards leaders.
Fact of the case revealed that the post was detected later that evening by an assistant director from MCMC’s Content Moderation Department in Cyberjaya, Selangor, who lodged a report after finding the content grossly offensive.
Investigations subsequently led MCMC officers to conduct a raid on June 17 this year, during which they found the accused’s Facebook account logged in on his mobile phone and recovered the offending post.
In mitigation, the unrepresented accused apologised to the court and said he had been influenced by comments made by others online.
“I was carried away by the situation. I regret my actions and promise not to repeat them,” he said.
The accused also acknowledged that he had learned a lesson from the incident, saying individuals should not speak recklessly on sensitive matters.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Iris stressed that public interest was her foremost consideration.
She remarked that the accused’s apology should not be directed solely to the court.
“You need to say sorry to the whole Malaysian public and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. There is no use saying sorry to me. The damage has been done,” she said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) prosecuting officer, Nazrul Nizam Mohd Zameri, urged the court to impose a sentence that would serve as a reminder and deterrent to both the accused and the public.
In his written submission, Nazrul described the posting as a grave insult to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“To use such crude language against the YDPA, whilst accusing His Highness of wilful neglect of His Highness’ responsibility is a grave insult to His Majesty, and to all his subjects alike.
“It is unwarranted and dangerous, as it can sow undeserved and misguided discontent towards the Rulers. This can lead to other serious threats to our peace and harmony,” he said.
