SEPANG – The owner of a Facebook account ‘Adeline Chang’ was fined RM7,000 by the Sepang Sessions Court here for initiating the transmission of offensive communications regarding a five-year-old boy.
Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman meted out the fine on Chang Pei Yi, 24, after she pleaded guilty to the charge, Bernama reported.
She was charged under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act with posting a photograph of a minor online and captioning it with offensive remarks at about 11 pm on May 30 this year.
Ahmad Fuad, before handing down the sentence, said Chang’s action had tarnished the dignity of the boy and his family and reminded the people of the principles of Rukun Negara, especially on courtesy and morality.
He advised Chang to avoid publicising personal issues, especially when they could harm others.
“You have to remember your position as an influencer, you have good postings only,” he said.
Chang paid the fine.
According to the Malay Mail Online, Chang arrived at her hearing by her sister, Alice, a fellow influencer, who was dressed in a white floral dress.
The proceedings were briefly delayed after Chang appeared to struggle with understanding the Malay language, despite informing her lawyer, Muhammad Rhastdan Abdul Wahab, that she was proficient in the national language.
When the charge was read, Chang requested a Mandarin interpreter, prompting the court to pause proceedings until one could be arranged.
Once an interpreter was present and proceedings resumed, Chang pleaded guilty.
“This court has been told you are ill and also undergoing counselling, we take that into consideration when deciding your punishment and thus will impose a fine on you,” he was quoted as saying.
In a statement, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said Chang had knowingly posted an image of the minor with offensive captions. The post, written in Mandarin, included remarks intended to offend or hurt others.
The MCMC reminded the public to “remain vigilant before posting or sharing any content, especially content that involves children.”
The commission said it would continue to collaborate with relevant parties to ensure strict action is taken against those committing such offences.
The prosecution was handled by a prosecuting officer from the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Nazrul Nizam Mohd Zameri. – October 24, 2024