HULU SELANGOR: A man who had misused a picture of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia during the ongoing Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election was sentenced to a month's jail and fined RM3,000 by the Magistrate's Court here today.
Magistrate Siti Fatimah Talib meted out the sentence against P. Ramasamy, 66, after he had pleaded guilty.
Siti Fatimah said Ramasamy would also be serve an additional 10 months' jail time if he failed to pay the fine.
In a press statement yesterday, Hulu Selangor district police chief, Superintendent Ahmad Faizal Tahrim, said police had arrested two men in their 60s and seized a four-wheel drive vehicle which bore the image of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
The accused was charged under Section 4A(1) of the Elections Offences Act 1954 for malicious intent.
Based on the charges, read out by Deputy Public Prosecutor Asmah Che Wan, the accused, who hailed from Tanjung Rambutan, Perak, was found to have driven a Mazda 4WD vehicle with the registration number AFA 6108 in Taman Bukit Bunga Kuala Kubu Bharu.
The accused was found to have in his possession a Pakatan Harapan (PH) flag, bearing the image of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, which had been plastered on the vehicle's sides and back, as well as a banner of the King at the rear.
The vehicle was also adorned with the Jalur Gemilang as well as the Johor and PH flags. The vehicle was stopped in front of the Ulu Yam Lama basketball court.
"Checks showed that the accused had carried a PH banner with the intention of further stoking enmity between the various voters in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election and to sway the votes in PH's favour.
"As such, you have committed an offence punishable under Section 4A(1) of the Elections Offences Act 1954.
"The maximum punishment is five years' jail and a maximum fine of RM10,000 or both," she said.
Meanwhile, Ramasamy, who was clad in orange lockup attire, pleaded for a lighter sentence, saying he did not know that he was committing an offence.
"I humbly apologise. I did this purely out of personal interest. I was not trying to provoke anyone. I humbly ask for the fine to be reduced," he said.
In the proceedings, Asmah asked for a heavier punishment to be meted out against Ramasamy to serve as an example for not just the accused but also other Malaysians.