Johor bahru: A Singaporean security guard was sentenced to 14 days in prison and fined RM7,000 by the Magistrate's Court here today after pleading guilty to insulting Islam last month. Magistrate A. Shaarmini ordered Mohamed Anim Atam, 56, to serve the jail term from the date of his arrest last Tuesday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamed Anim was charged with deliberately wounding the religious feelings of another person by uttering words insulting Islam. The offence occurred between Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Meldrum at around 5 pm on July 30. The charge was filed under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which prescribes a maximum jail term of one year, a fine, or both upon conviction.

The case facts revealed that Mohamed Anim allegedly made derogatory remarks about the Quran and Islam while travelling in an e-hailing vehicle. The complainant, who overheard the remarks, recorded the incident and uploaded the video to social media before lodging a police report on July 31.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Eizlan Azhar advocated for an appropriate sentence, highlighting that the case had gained significant attention online and involved sensitive 3R issues-religion, race, and royalty. Mohamed Anim, who was unrepresented, requested a lenient sentence due to his health issues and ongoing divorce proceedings, which required his presence at the Syariah Court in Singapore.

Mohamed Anim was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Johor Bahru Selatan District Police Headquarters, with assistance from the Singapore Police, following the viral spread of the video allegedly showing him making insulting remarks. Police also confiscated a mobile phone from the suspect to aid in the investigation.