KUCHING: The High Court today upheld a lower court’s decision to fine a salesman who had used the profile name ‘Hui Tai Lang’ on Facebook to defame former Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei.
High Court Judge Datuk Azhahari Kamal Ramli agreed with the Magistrate’s Court’s decision to fine Chin Siaw Hong, 53, a sum of RM10,000 in default two months’ jail.
On Feb 17, 2020, the Magistrate’s Court had initially acquitted Chin from a charge of sending defamatory messages and pictures through his Facebook account, at approximately 12.54pm, December 9, 2018.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the prosecution then appealed to the High Court on February 19, 2021, leading to Judge Datuk Zaleha Rose Pandin ordering Chin to defend himself in the Magistrate’s Court.
After the trial, Magistrate Zaiton Anuar found him guilty and imposed a fine of RM10,000 or two months imprisonment if he failed to pay the fine.
