A SINGLE mother was fined RM8,000 by the Sessions Court today for posting offensive communications regarding a solat hajat (prayer of need) ceremony on her Facebook page two years ago.

Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak meted out the fine, in default of six months jail, on Hong Jia Ming, 34, after the woman pleaded guilty to the charge.

She paid the fine.

Hong was charged with making and initiating the transmission of offensive communication with the intention to annoy others using the ‘Joyceanne Hong’ Facebook account at 9.22pm on March 12, 2020.

The posting was later read at Masjid Muadz Bin Jabal, Wangsa Maju at 12.41pm on March 13, 2020.

The charge, under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and punishable under Section 233(3) of the same law, provides a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Najihah Farhana Che Awang asked the court for a deterrent sentence that reflected the severity of the offence. 

Hong, who was represented by counsel Haijan Omar, pleaded for a minimum fine on the grounds that she has a heart problem and a nine-year-old son to support. – Bernama, August 12, 2022.