KUALA LUMPUR: A 56-year-old retiree was fined RM5,000, in default, eight months’ jail for uploading a false statement, which was related to a recent seizure of four 30-tonne containers storing halal and non-halal frozen meat together.
Clad in a brown shirt, Kamarzaman Mustafa pleaded guilty to the offence when the charge was read to him before judge Zainal L. Salleh at the Sessions Court here today.
Zainal, when meted out his sentence, said the accused should have thought twice before doing something that could effect national harmony.
“Everyone has a mobile phone. It is okay if you share news which is true, but if vice versa, this will cause problems to the community.
“We must check the facts (of any news) before sharing it on social media,” Zainal said.
Kamarzaman was charged with uploading a false statement with the intention of offending others via a Facebook account bearing the name “YB Kamarzaman” at 12.35am on July 19.
The individual, who lodged the report against him, had allegedly claimed to have read the Facebook post at a Starbucks Outlet in Wangsa Maju about 10am on Aug 1.
The offence falls under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), which carries a maximum RM50,000 fine or one-year prison term or both, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Norhani Mohd Adzhar prosecuted, while the accused was unrepresented.