Activist and graphic designer Fahmi Reza sentenced to one month’s jail and fined RM30,000 for posting a clown sketch of the Prime Minister online.
Fahmi, 40, whose full name is Mohd Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin, was found guilty by the Ipoh Sessions Court today of uploading an edited image of Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Facebook with the intention to offend.
In a Facebook post today, Fahmi said: “I have been found guilty for uploading a clown satire on Facebook.
“Punishment: One month imprisonment and a fine of RM30,000.”
The cartoonist was charged with committing the offence on Feb 8, 2016 at 12.31pm.
He was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which is punishable under Section 233(3) of the same Act.
He could have been sentenced to one-year imprisonment or a maximum fine of up to RM50,000, or both.
Judge Norashima Khalid also ordered Fahmi to be jailed an additional six months if he fails to pay the fine.
However, she allowed the sentence to be postponed while waiting for the case to be appealed at the High Court.
She also raised Fahmi’s bail from RM5,000 to RM10,000.
On Jan 4, Norashima had instructed the accused to enter his defence after the prosecution proved a prima facie case against him.
Fahmi claimed trial in June 2016 to two criminal charges involving the uploading of the image.
DPP Mohd Sophian Zakaria prosecuted the case while Mohd Fahmi was represented by Syahredzan Johan.
Earlier report: Jan 4, Activist Charged with Posting Offensive Caricature of PM on FB