Shah alam: A public university student received a RM10,000 fine, with an alternative of six months' imprisonment, from the Sessions Court after admitting to the commercial sale of pornographic content last year. Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman handed down the sentence to Muhammad Aidil Akmal Azhar, 24, under Section 233(2)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Muhammad Aidil paid the fine.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Muhammad Aidil committed the offense using a Telegram account '@sanomanji89' to advertise a pornographic video at a Shah Alam residence on March 1, 2024. The video was accessed later from a condominium in Shah Alam on April 4.

Case facts reveal that a digital forensic officer from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) acted undercover, contacting '@sanomanji89' to purchase the video titled 'Promo July24' for RM100 through a Touch 'n Go reload code. Following the payment on July 23, 2024, the agent received a link to another Telegram account '@cocomelon87'.

MCMC deputy public prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab argued for a deterrent sentence, emphasizing the offense's seriousness. He highlighted that the distribution of pornographic material contravenes religious and cultural values and promotes social media misuse, posing psychological risks. He noted that as a Muslim, the accused should have recognized the violation of religious principles.

Defense lawyer Sabrina Mohammad appealed for leniency, pointing to her client's youth, financial difficulties, and family circumstances. She explained that Muhammad Aidil recently finished his industrial training, lacks stable income, and depends on his parents, who earn approximately RM3,200 monthly. Additionally, she mentioned that one of his siblings suffers from a chronic illness and another is a person with disabilities (OKU).