Malaysia has warned that ‘stern action’ will be taken against content that insults, incites hatred or touches on race, religion or royalty
2-MIN READ2-MIN1 ListenThe StarPublished: 11:48am, 12 Mar 2026The administrator of a Facebook account has been jailed 10 months and fined 50,000 ringgit (US$12,700) by the Sessions Court in Miri, Sarawak, over a post deemed insulting to Islam.The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said John Mule anak Alai, 48, was convicted under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.
The MCMC said the man, who administered the Facebook account Bat Tuo Sai, made a comment containing insults against verses of the Quran and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a post about the former prime minister’s death.
It reminded the public to use social media responsibly. “Any content that insults, incites hatred or touches on sensitivities involving race, religion and the royal institution can face stern action under the law,” it said.
The MCMC is also working with social media platforms to identify another Facebook user following the circulation of visuals showing an individual behaving disrespectfully towards the Quran, according to Bernama.
