Former Malacca Chief Minister Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik today was fined RM 1,900 by the Sessions Court here over a Facebook posting alleging that Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah was an apostate.
Rahim pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 over an offence which was committed on September 25 last year.
The prosecution also withdrew a charge against Rahim under the Sedition Act over the same offence during proceedings today, after Rahim tendered an apology to the Selangor Sultan, Sharafuddin Idris Shah, over the posting.
While delivering his verdict, judge Slamat Yahya gave a reminder that any posting and comment made online should be mindful of elements such as “national harmony”.
The charge under CMA allows for a maximum fine of RM50,000 and a prison term not exceeding one year.
Rahim's lawyer, Datuk Firoz Hussein pleaded for a lower sentence, pointing out that his client is a former vice-president of Umno and an experienced statesman.
He also pointed out that Rahim is a family man and appealed for the court to impose a fine lesser than RM2,000.
Deputy public prosecutor Nik Suhaimi Nik Sulaiman did not counter the mitigation plea but said he would leave it to the court’s discretion.
Rahim's lawyers had earlier this year applied for the sedition charge to be dropped but the bid was rejected by the court.
Source -Malay Mail Online-
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