KUALA LUMPUR: A p-hailing rider has apologised at the Sessions Court for hurling profanities in his insults directed at the royal institution three years ago.
Tan Yong Hua, 42, promised not to repeat his actions as he asked for a lenient sentence for his offence.
“Minta ampun (I apologise). I promise not to do it again. Please reduce the sentence,” he said yesterday.
Tan had pleaded guilty after the charge was read out to him before Sessions Court judge Siti Aminah Ghazali.
The court fined him RM10,000 and ordered him to serve six months in jail if he fails to pay the fine.
According to the charge sheet, Tan had used the Instagram profile “ogbadboyterryt” to make an offensive posting with the intention to offend others between Nov 6 and 7, 2021.
The posting was read at a condominium in Jalan Taman U-Thant near here on Nov 7 that year.
The charge under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to one year or both if found guilty, and RM1,000 each day the offence continues after conviction.
DPP Wan Ahmad Hijrah Wan Abdullah sought a deterrent sentence to serve as a lesson for the public as well as the accused.
Mind your language: Tan making his way to the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur. — Low Boon Tat/The Star
“The prosecution is seeking a deterrent sentence as a lesson for the public not to touch on the 3R issues especially the royal institution when using social media where comments can be read by (the public) and cause unrest,” he said.
Tan, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a lenient sentence.
“I have no family. I work in the logistics sector but due to an injured hand, I have no stable job,” he said.
According to the facts of the case, Tan’s posting was read by the complainant, Tun Putera Ahmad Aizuddin Shah Mohamed Johan.
The complainant, who was offended when reading the posting, made a police report on the grounds that the accused was well aware that the posting was offensive and insulting to the royal institution.
The accused was arrested on Nov 26, 2021. Police also seized a handphone and a SIM card.
An investigation by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission confirmed that the social media account that was used was owned and operated by the accused.
