Malaysian jailed for more than 10 years for insulting Islam on social media
- Three other social media users have also been charged with insulting Islam, causing racial disharmony
- The misuse of communication networks carries a maximum one year in jail
A Malaysian citizen was given more than 10 years in jail for insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammad on social media, police said on Saturday, one of the country’s harshest such sentences in recent years.
Issues related to race, religion and language are very sensitive topics in multiracial Malaysia.
The person found guilty, known only as Facebook user “Ayea Yea”, was jailed for 10 years and 10 months after pleading guilty to ten charges of anti-religious activity and the misuse of communications networks, said national police chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
In a statement, Mohamad did not specify the number of charges for each offence, but said they would be served consecutively.
Under Malaysian law, those found guilty of anti-religious activity can be punished with a jail term of two to five years.
The misuse of communication networks carries a maximum one year in jail or a fine of up to 50,000 ringgit (US$12,200), or both.
Three other social media users have also been charged with insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, as well as causing racial disharmony.