Flamboyant ex-television host Azwan Ali was slapped with a RM17,000 fine by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today for uploading a post online deemed offensive to frontliners battling the Covid-19 outbreak.
He pleaded guilty to uploading a video on his YouTube channel “DivaAATersohor” on March 24.
Judge Azura Alwi ordered Azwan, 55, to serve six months in jail if he fails to pay the fine.
Azwan, who was clad in an all-black outfit, was charged with uploading the offensive content following a report lodged by the Putrajaya Hospital.
A Putrajaya Hospital employee lodged a police report over two viral videos – one by Azwan – deemed to be damaging to the image of the hospital and the credibility of its medical staff in handling the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, hospital director Datuk Dr Nora’i Mohd Said said that the videos caused emotional distress to frontliners who had to sacrifice their time with family in discharging their duties.
Azwan was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a maximum RM50,000 fine or one year’s jail, or both, if convicted.
He could also be fined RM1,000 for each day the post remains online after the conviction.
Since the movement control order (MCO) was enforced, Azwan has been posting videos condemning those who do not observe the restriction.
His targets have mainly been those who fail to adhere to the stay-at-home order, as well as attendees of the Sri Petaling tabligh gathering who did not immediately get themselves checked for the viral infection.
Azwan also made a public apology in court to the Hospital Putrajaya staff.
“I regretted my action, and this serves a huge lesson in my life,” he added.
Earlier, in mitigation, Azwan’s lawyer, Ammanjeet Singh, from the National Legal Aid Foundation, said it was Azwan’s first offence and that he had apologised for his actions in all his social media accounts.
However, deputy public prosecutor Mohd Radzi Shah Ab Razak, requested the court for a proportionate punishment in view of the current situation where all quarters should learn to respect those who are working on the frontline in addressing the spread of Covid-19.
“The transmission of the communication was made during the movement-control order, which is serious,” he added.
Judge Azura, before handing out the sentence, advised all quarters to respect all frontline personnel on duty and to work together to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Following enforcement of MCO, which has been extended until April 14, to curb the spread of Covid-19, courts nationwide are closed, and only opened to handle new cases for remand and bail application, with minimum presence of people in the courtroom.
Even media practitioners are not allowed in the courtroom and compound, but they are allowed to wait outside the gate near the guardhouse to obtain information on cases from the prosecution and lawyers.