KUALA LUMPUR: A man who posted an insensitive comment on his social media regarding the 'Allah' socks issue was sentenced to six months in jail and fined RM12,000 by the Sessions Court today.
Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin meted out the sentence against Chiok Wai Loong after he pleaded guilty to the offence.
The 34-year-old is accused of initiating the offence through a posting on his Facebook account, 'Chiok Wai Loong', with the intention to annoy others on March 18.
The offence falls under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
Chiok, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a minimum sentence by stating that he needs to support his 63-year-old mother.
"I am only a keyboard warrior and never thought my comment would hurt other people's feelings.
"As Chinese, we have tattoos of our gods on various parts of our bodies... I thought this (Allah issue) is just a small matter," he said.
However, deputy public prosecutor Datin Kalmizah Salleh pressed for a deterrent sentence.
She said respect and courtesy must never be disregarded as we live in a multi-racial country.
"Social media is not a platform to hurt other people's feelings," she said.
- MORE TO COME
