Youth fined $2,000 for spreading malicious news on Facebook

AP FILE PHOTO

KLANG, Malaysia—A 23-year-old youth was fined RM 7,000 (about $2,000) or four months’ jail for spreading malicious news via Facebook last August.

Muhammad Nur Hafiz Palpha, an Internet installation company employee pleaded guilty before Sessions judge Surita Budin to committing the offense through his Facebook account, “Ringgo Pandan.”

He had posted a statement about some teenagers being killed while returning from prayers near Pandamaran in Klang.

According to the facts presented by deputy public prosecutor Rosidah Abu Bakar, a policeman based at the Pandamaran police station noticed the malicious posting at 8:15 a.m. on August 1.

The policeman lodged a report after verifying that the statement was uncorroborated, and investigations conducted by the Royal Malaysian Police’s Cyber Unit led to Muhammad Nur Hafiz’s mobile phone registration number and location.

He was arrested at No. 7, Lorong D10, Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur on August 7.