KUALA LUMPUR – The second man charged with an offensive Facebook post over the “Allah”-printed socks issue was today sentenced to six months’ jail and fined RM12,000 by the sessions court here.
Chiok Wai Loong, 34, who was unrepresented, pleaded guilty before judge Suzana Hussin.
In asking for a minimum sentence, he said he needed to support his 63-year-old mother, New Straits Times reported him saying.
He also described himself as a “keyboard warrior” who “didn’t think” his comment would hurt other people’s feelings.
His charge was under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both.
Chiok was reportedly tearful in court as he apologised and said he did not purposely intend to hurt anyone’s feelings. He also promised not to repeat such an offence again.
Deputy public prosecutor Datin Kalmizah Salleh was reported asking the court for a deterrent sentence, saying respect and courtesy must always be practiced in a multi-racial country.
According to Kalmizah, 24 police reports have been lodged against him.
Chiok, a technician, was arrested in Cheras, in the capital, yesterday.
He has since deleted his offending post, but he was still found by a group of men who confronted him and made a video recording of his apology.
The video, posted on Chiok’s Facebook page, shows the men surrounding him as he promises not to insult other religions again.
The first man charged for making offensive social media content over the “Allah”-printed socks since the issue surfaced last week was Sabahan Ricky Shane Cagampang, 33, who pleaded guilty in Kota Kinabalu yesterday and was sentenced to six months’ jail and fined RM15,000 in default of four months’ jail. – March 22, 2024