KUALA LUMPUR: An unemployed man was fined RM10,000 for posting offensive statements about the King and the Prime Minister at the Cyber Court today.

Mohd Shariman Shahrir Omar admitted to committing the deed about 11.42pm on Oct 11, 2016, on his Facebook account.

The summons charge under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 is punishable under Section 233 (3) of the same act, with a fine of not more than RM50,000 or a jail term of not more than one year, or both.

His lawyer Adlizan Noor pleaded for leniency, saying that the accused who is currently unemployed, left his job as a trainee doctor due to work pressure.

He added that the accused who studied in the United Kingdom has to pay back RM1 million in scholarship for his studies.

In urging the court not to impose a custodial sentence, Adlizan said Mohd Shariman regretted his actions and begged forgiveness from the King.

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's head of prosecution, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Sophian Zakaria asked for a heavy sentence to be imposed, as a strong message to the public.

"The posting was made about the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the words used were harsh, despicable and rude," said Mohd Sophian.

He said the accused also posted words about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, adding that this showed he had no respect for the leader.

Cyber Court judge Zaman Mohd Noor imposed the fine, in default of six months jail.

Earlier, Mohd Sophian sought for a warrant of arrest as Mohd Shariman did not turn up in court, but it was later, set aside.

Adlizan explained that there was a miscommunication and that his client and his father went to another court, adding that the father and son had travelled from Johor to attend the court proceedings.