KUALA LUMPUR: An activist was fined RM1,900 or six months’ jail in default by the Sessions Court here on Wednesday (Jan 26) for making and initiating the transmission of an insulting video linking foreigners to criminal activities at the Selayang wholesale market two years ago.

       Judge M. M. Edwin Paramjothy meted out the sentence on 60-year-old Mustapa Mansor Amer Mohd Isa after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

       According to the amended charge, Mustapa was charged with making and initiating an insulting communication with the intention of hurting others through a video titled "Isu Semasa: Siapakah Pengkhianat Negara Kita? (Siri 18)" on YouTube using the ‘Mustapa Mansor’ profile page on April 26, 2020.

       The video was then watched at the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department here at 2.30 pm on May 2, 2020.

       Mustapa was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988, which provides a maximum fine of RM50,000, a one-year jail term or both if found guilty.

       Additionally, Section 233(1)(a) allows for a fine of RM1,000 per day for every day that the offence is continued after conviction.

       In mitigation, Mustafa's lawyer Jadadish Chandra requested for his client not to be sent to jail, saying that he had eight children aged between 19 and 36 and that this was his first offence.

       "My client has promised he will not repeat the same mistake and will be careful when recording a video in the future,” added the lawyer.

       Deputy public prosecutor Najihah Farhana Che Awang prosecuted. - Bernama