MalayMail-March 21
A Sabahan Muslim convert was sentenced to six months in jail for insulting Islam on a Facebook page today. The 33-year-old property negotiator, Ricky Shane Cagampang, pleaded guilty to posting offensive remarks on Facebook over the issue of the word “Allah” on socks and was sentenced to six months imprisonment and a fine of RM15,000 which if unpaid, will result in another four months jail. Sessions Court judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan in his sentencing said that cases like this should be severely punished as anyone could easily say anything through social media these days and although the law also does not prevent anyone from voicing their opinion, it must be within legal restrictions. “In this case, the accused has gone beyond the restrictions of the law which not only causes pain or annoyance to the complainant, but also other Muslims out there who can access the accused’s posts. This is inappropriate because, at this age, the accused should be mature in voicing his opinion. And for that reason, the accused must be responsible for his own actions,” he said. He added that the punishment was not because of sentiment but a form of teaching and prevention to not insult any religion and hoped that it would do away with the culture of “do it first and apologize later” and instead “think carefully before doing it.” Read more at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/03/21/allah-socks-issue-sabahan-sentenced-to-six-months-of-jail-for-insulting-islam-on-facebook/124802
