MARANG: A man has been sentenced to six months in prison and a RM500 fine in the Magistrate's Court here today for displaying the Israeli flag last October.
The accused, Harma Zulfika Deraman, 30, also faces an additional three months in prison if he fails to pay the fine.
However, the sentence will commence after the accused completes a five-year prison term under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Magistrate Zur Azureen Zainalkefli made the decision after the accused pleaded guilty to the charge.
According to the charge, Harma was accused of displaying the Israeli flag in a public place, breaching the National Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949.
The accused is alleged to have committed the act at a vehicle accessories shop in Kampung Padang Lebam, Bukit Payung, here at 1pm on Oct 19.
The accused is charged with an offence under Section 3(1) of the National Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949 and can be punished under Section 8(1)(i) of the same act.
The prosecution was handled by police prosecuting officer Assistant Superintendent Othman Ibrahim, while the accused was represented by the National Legal Aid Foundation.
Previously, the media reported that a man was arrested by the police after being suspected of hanging and hoisting the Israeli flag at a premise, causing public outrage.
Several images circulated on social media showed the flag of the Zionist regime being displayed, with the accused also having a record related to drug offences.
The accused is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for a drug offence under Section 39C of the DDA 1952, which began a month ago and is also subjected to a caning.