A government retiree was slapped with an RM2,000 fine by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today for sharing false information through his Facebook on a claim that a container filled with pork and mutton was brought into the country from Spain and Brazil last year.

Judge Zaman Mohd Noor meted out the fine on Azizan Ahmad, 64, who pleaded guilty to knowingly using his Facebook application service to make and initiate the transmission of a false communication with the intention to annoy others.

The offence was committed at 6.23 pm on July 20, 2017, and the link was read at the Starbucks restaurant at AEON Alpha Angle, Bandar Baru Wangsa Maju at 10 am on Aug 1, 2017.

Azizan , who has five children and four grandchildren, was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which provides a fine of up to RM50,000, or imprisonment for up to one year, or both, and shall also be liable to a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.

He paid the fine.

During mitigation, Azizan, who was unrepresented, said he regretted his action and that he was supporting an ailing mother and two wives.

"I am a diabetic and have high blood pressure. When I made the posting, I did not know that it was an offence to do so. I apologise and will not do it again. I have no intention of annoying anyone,” he said.

Prosecuting officer from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Norhani Mohamad, requested the court to impose fine of RM2,000 on Azizan.

According to the facts of the case, the posting was read by one Mohd Nazri Abdul Wahid, who then lodged a report with MCMC.

Based on a statement by Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS) director-general Mokhtaruddin Husain, the posting uploaded by Azizan was false and a police report was lodged.

--Bernama