Malaysian man fined $4,000 for insulting police on Facebook

MALACCA (The Star/Asia News Network): A car salesman who insulted police in his Facebook posting was fined a total of RM10,500 (S$4,061) by a magistrate's court here.

Tan Keng Hong, 32, pleaded guilty before magistrate Norina Maludin on Thursday to two charges of posting a statement on his Facebook page which insulted two officers on duty on Sept 25.

According to the facts of the case, Tan insulted the police by posting a status update on his Facebook with a picture showing the two traffic policemen while they were on duty at 11.30am.

He was charged under Section 504 of the Penal Code with intent to insult and provoke breach of peace, which carries a jail term of two years or a fine or both.

Tan, from Cheng here, was also charged under Section 233(1)(b) of the Communications and Multimedia Act for improper use of network facilities or service with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person.

The offence is punishable under Section 233(3) of the same Act and carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or a jail term of up to a year or both.

In mitigation, Tan's counsel, Ng Aik Beng, said his client had regretted his action and repented by removing his Facebook posting.

Norina then fined Tan RM3,500 for the first offence in default of four months' jail.

He was fined another RM7,000 for the second offence in default of six months' jail.

Tan paid both the fines.

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