S’porean man, 56, gets 14 days’ jail & S$2,192 fine for insulting Islam in M’sia

A 56-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to 14 days’ jail and fined RM7,000 (S$2,191.67) for insulting Islam while travelling in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Mohamed Anim Atam pleaded guilty to a charge of deliberately intending to hurt the religious feelings of any person through words, sounds, or gestures, New Straits Times and Malay Mail reported.

He was ordered to serve the jail term from the date of his arrest on Aug. 18.

Ride

Anim reportedly made those remarks while travelling from Jalan Tun Razak to Jalan Meldrum in an e-hailing car on Jul. 30 at about 5pm.

In a video uploaded by the driver, Anim could be heard criticising Islam during the ride.

In the video, a voice could be heard speaking in Malay and English.

“These are all lies. I don't believe,” Anim said.

The driver could be heard cautioning the passenger not to make those remarks and mentioned that he was a Muslim.

The driver threatened to “kick” the passenger out of the vehicle at one point.

“If you have left the religion, there is no need to insult mine,” the driver said in Malay.

Anim could be heard apologising before presumably alighting.

A police report was lodged the following day on Jul. 31, it was reported.

Anim was subsequently arrested on Aug. 18, at about 4:15pm, at Sultan Iskandar Building along Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, Bukit Chagar.

Local police also seized a mobile phone from him.

Security guard

The prosecution noted that Anim's remarks touched on highly sensitive issues involving race, religion, and royalty.

They added that Anim’s actions caused public outcry on social media.

Anim, who is a security guard in Singapore, appealed for a fine.

He reportedly cited his ongoing divorce proceedings and high blood pressure.

He pleaded for leniency.

For deliberately intending to hurt the religious feelings of any person through words, sounds, or gestures in Malaysia, Anim could have been jailed for a year, fined, or both.