KUALA LUMPUR: A single mother pleaded guilty to insulting 'solat hajat' (prayer of need) by uploading an offensive post and poll on her Facebook story, in March, two years ago.
Hong Jia Ming, 34, only nodded in understanding when the charges were read to her before Sessions Court Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak earlier today.
She immediately said "I plead guilty" when the court's clerk asked her if she understood the charges, which prompted the clerk to tell her to be patient, and to listen carefully.
Hong admitted to posting a story on a Facebook account named 'Joyceanne Hong' that insulted Muslims for organising solat hajat to seek Allah's protection for Malaysia from Covid-19 on March 12, 2020.
Accompanying the story was a poll asking readers' opinion on the matter, of which a very large percentage was negative.
Screenshots of the post were widely circulated among her former workplace WhatsApp groups.
Hong was charged under Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998, which provides a maximum fine of RM50,000 or up to one year's jail, and offenders can also be fined RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after the conviction.
Lawyer Haijan Omar, who represented Hong pleaded for the court's discretion to impose a good-behaviour bond or minimum fine on the accused.
"She is a single mother, who is caring for a nine-year-old son and earns about RM12,000 monthly as a private sector consultant. She also has a medical condition.
"This is also her first offence and she was never arrested or charged for any crime before. She's a good citizen and she always does charity work.
"My client does not have a malicious intention when she uploaded the posts, but merely to raise awareness to stop the spread of Covid-19," he said.
Haijan then requested for the court to allow the accused to defend herself from the dock, which was then granted by the judge.
"I humbly apologise for my wrong choice of words. I understand that my words have offended and hurt my friends' feelings.
"I have learnt my lessons from this mistake. I have faith in the system, and I hope the system has faith in me," she said.
Deputy public prosecutor Najihah Farhana Che Awang objected to the defence's request and asked for the judge to order fair punishment on the accused for the offence.
She noted the percentage garnered by the poll, and that the screenshot of the post had gone viral.
"She had also violated the freedom of fundamental rights allocated to every Malaysian citizen.
"This will be a lesson to the accused, and many others to not repeat such offence, on social media as it disturbed the harmony and unity of this country," she said.
Judge Nor Hasniah then ordered an RM8,000 fine or six months imprisonment if the accused failed to pay.