Why was the photographer fined RM15,000 for Facebook posts?

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Photographer Fined RM15,000 for Insulting Hinduism on Facebook

A 54-year-old photographer, Zamri Abdul Razak, was fined RM15,000 by the Sessions Court for two counts of insulting Hinduism through posts on his Facebook account. The court found that his actions on March 10, 2019, constituted an offense under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which prohibits the improper use of network facilities. This section carries a penalty of up to RM50,000 in fines, a jail term of up to one year, or both, along with a daily fine for repeated offenses.
Insulting Religious Beliefs Deemed Harmful

Judge MM Edwin Paramjothy stated that freedom of speech does not extend to insulting or demeaning any religion or its beliefs. The court emphasized that such actions not only harm individuals but also damage the values and societal functions represented by a religion and its followers. Zamri's offensive comments, uploaded under his Facebook name 'Zamri Bin Abd Razak', were intended to offend and were subsequently viewed by another Facebook user at a police cybercrime division office.
Court Considers Mitigating Factors

While finding Zamri guilty, the court acknowledged his poor health as a mitigating factor in sentencing. Despite this, the judge underscored the need to balance sympathy for the offender with the pain and suffering inflicted upon victims and the damage caused to society by such criminal activity. The court noted that the available evidence did not suggest a systematic or continuous pattern of vile remarks beyond the specific instances charged.
Payment of Fine and Legal Representation

Zamri was ordered to pay RM8,000 for the first count and RM7,000 for the second count, with default jail sentences of six months for each if the fines were not paid. He subsequently paid the total RM15,000 fine. The prosecution was led by DPP Nor Azizah Aling and Iznina Hanim Hashim, while Zamri was represented by lawyer Mohd Harris Al-Hajj Abdullah.

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Why was the photographer fined RM15,000 for Facebook posts?

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