Kota kinabalu: The Sessions Court here today fined a housewife RM10,000 in default two months jail after she pleaded guilty to making a false and defamatory post against Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri on Facebook regarding the death of Form One student, Zara Qairina Mahathir, in July. Judge Marlina Ibrahim handed down the sentence on Asmaziah Sedek, 32, who knowingly created and initiated the transmission of false communication through the Facebook account ‘Ash Qiey’ with the intent to annoy others, at 9.21 pm on July 29.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the charge was framed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and punishable under Section 233(2) of the same Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM500,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, upon conviction.

DPP Eugenie Meredith Gilbert prosecuted while Asmaziah was unrepresented.