TAIPING: An online trader who made an offensive remark about the helicopter tragedy at the naval base in Lumut has been fined RM23,000 by the Sessions Court here.
Judge Nabisha Ibrahim meted out the sentence on Saifuddin Shafik, 35, yesterday after he pleaded guilty to the charge. He would have served three months in prison if he had failed to pay the fine.
Saifuddin publicly apologised to the victims’ families, the Malaysian Armed Forces and the public for his actions.
“When I posted it I was aware, and I deeply regret my actions. I would not have done so if I did not suffer from bipolar disorder.
“I sincerely apologise to the families of the victims, the Armed Forces and anyone else who was offended by my post,” he said after paying the fine, as reported by Bernama.
Judge Nabisha said the punishment served as a reminder to prevent the accused from repeating the offence, “and to caution the public about the responsible use of social media – use social media wisely.”
Saifuddin said he would deactivate his X account to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
He was charged with knowingly making and sending an offensive communication through the X social platform under the profile name ‘Saifuddin Shafik @saishafik’, with the intention of causing distress to others.
The offence was committed at about 1.15pm on April 23, and the content was accessed at Gedung Sari, Jalan Harmoni, Pusat Bandar Bagan Serai at 6.30pm on the same day.
The charge under Section 233(1)(a)(ii) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, punishable under Section 233(3), provides a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year or both, and liable to a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
Earlier, Perak prosecution director Wan Azimah Yaacob urged for a severe sentence to send a message to both the accused and the public about responsible social media use.
Saifuddin’s lawyer, Amin Othman, requested a fine as punishment, saying his client earns between RM2,000 and RM2,500 a month, and financially supports his wife and parents.
Amin added that Saifuddin, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder since 2011, had been undergoing treatment at various medical centres until 2023, and this was his first offence.
