AN unemployed man was sentenced to six months in prison and a RM10,000 fine in default three months in prison, by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today after he pleaded guilty to posting an offensive message about Selangor sultan and refusing to provide his Facebook password.

Judge N. Priscilla Hemamalini ordered Mohamad Azlan Ibrahim, 47, to start serving the prison sentence today.

Before the proceedings, Azlan was seen reading the Quran in the public gallery.

Azlan was accused of posting an offensive Facebook post about the sultan under the profile “Iman Mustaqim”.

The post was viewed at the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department at 11.37am on August 29.

He was charged under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which is punishable by a fine of up to RM50,000, a maximum prison of one year, or both, and a fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence persists after conviction.

Azlan was also charged with failing to reveal his Facebook password to a cop who asked for it at the Dang Wangi police headquarters at 11.25am on August 31.

He was charged under section 249 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, punishable by a fine of up to RM100,000, prison up to two years, or both.

Deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob requested a prison sentence and a stiff fine, taking into account the severity of the offence.

“The sultan is a symbol of national unity and the accused’s actions of belittling the sovereignty of the Malay sultans can jeopardise the stability, harmony and security of the nation,” said Malik.

Azlan, who was unrepresented, appealed for a lighter sentence, citing unemployment and being the caregiver of an ailing mother. He said he was also helping his blind uncle seek hospital treatment. – Bernama, September 6, 2023.