Therapist Fined RM4,000 For Spreading False Information On BUDI95 Initiative

SEPANG, May 22 (Bernama) -- An alternative treatment therapist was fined RM4,000 by the Sessions Court today after pleading guilty to spreading false information about the Budi MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) initiative on Facebook.

Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman handed down the sentence on Ariffaizal Mohd Nor Ariffin, 46. The father of nine faces six months in jail if he fails to pay the fine.

He was charged with knowingly creating and sharing a false post via Facebook on April 6 last year to annoy others. 

The post was viewed on April 7, around 5 pm at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Tower 1, Cyberjaya.

He was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a maximum fine of RM500,000 or up to two years' jail, or both.

In his judgment, Ahmad Fuad said the offence could spark negative public perception, especially since the false statement was accompanied by a photo of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, making people think it came from the Prime Minister himself.

"Be more careful on social media. Every post can be seen by thousands before going viral. Do not share such content. Stop when it reaches you. Otherwise, you bear the sin and the punishment," he said.

MCMC prosecution officer Nazrul Nizam Mohd Zameri handled the case, while Ariffaizal was represented by lawyer Shahidah Muslimah Roslan.

Earlier, the accused sought a lighter sentence, citing his gout and his dependents, a wife, an 80-year-old ailing father, and nine children still at school.

-- BERNAMA