AN unemployed man was fined RM6,000 in default of three months’ jail by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today for insulting Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in a Facebook post on the country’s recent political turmoil.

Judge M.M. Edwin Paramjothy imposed the fine on Ooi Wei Siong, 38, who pleaded guilty to the charge. Ooi paid the fine.

In his judgment, Edwin said the court views the offence seriously, and that the freedom of expression should be exercised with the use of proper language, manners and morals.

“Although the federal constitution provides for freedom of expression for citizens, this freedom is not absolute. The freedom of expression contained in the constitution does not include the freedom to humiliate and insult someone.

“In this case, the person insulted is our country’s ruler. It is clear that the language used in the post is rude, harsh and offensive, with the intention of bringing down the dignity of and insulting our ruler.”

During mitigation, Ooi, represented by lawyer Ahmad Ridza Mohd Noh, said it was his first offence.

He said he regrets his action and has apologised for the post.

Ooi was charged with improperly using network facilities to knowingly initiate the transmission of offensive communications through Facebook with the intent of annoying another person at 7.39am on March 1.

The charge, under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act, provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000, or imprisonment of up to a year, or both, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Annur Atiqah Abd Hadi prosecuted. – Bernama, March 17, 2020.