A Miri Facebook admin is sentenced for posting obscene and religiously offensive comments about Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

PETALING JAYA: A Facebook account administrator has been sentenced to 10 months in prison and fined RM50,000 by the Miri Sessions Court after posting content deemed grossly obscene and offensive to the sensitivities of Islam — in connection with the passing of former Prime Minister Allahyarham Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The accused, John Mule anak Alai, 48, was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) for improper use of network facilities by transmitting communications of an obscene, indecent and menacing character with the intent to annoy another person.

John Mule, acting as administrator of a Facebook account known as “Bat Tuo Sai”, uploaded comments on an Astro Awani Facebook post reporting on the death of the former Prime Minister. The comments were found to contain mockery and insults directed at verses of the Holy Quran as well as at Allahyarham Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi himself.

The case was prosecuted and the sentence handed down at Miri Sessions Court 1 earlier today.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) stated that it takes a serious view of any misuse of digital platforms that insults religion, incites hatred, or threatens the harmony of Malaysia’s multiracial and multi-religious society.

“Members of the public are reminded to use social media responsibly, thoughtfully and in compliance with applicable laws,” MCMC said in its statement.

The regulator warned that content deemed insulting, seditious, or offensive to the sensitivities of race, religion or the royal institution can result in firm legal action under existing legislation.

 The Sun Malaysia