MIRI. SARAWAK, MALAYSIA March 11, 2026 – A 48-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison and fined RM50,000 by the Miri Sessions Court for posting highly offensive comments on Facebook that insulted Islamic sensitivities and the late former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
John Mule anak Alai, the administrator of the Facebook account “Bat Tuo Sai,” was convicted under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The charge stems from his misuse of online services to upload communications deemed extremely obscene and intended to annoy others. According to court details, Mule posted derogatory remarks mocking sacred verses from the Al-Quran and disparaging the deceased Tun Abdullah in response to an Astro Awani Facebook post about the former leader’s passing.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) described the comments as a severe insult to religion, capable of inciting hatred and disrupting the harmony of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. In a statement, MCMC emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward digital platform abuses that offend religious beliefs, promote division, or target royal institutions.
“Public reminded to exercise caution and responsibility on social media, adhering strictly to existing laws,” the MCMC statement read. “Any content that insults, incites hatred, or offends racial, religious, or royal sensitivities may result in strict legal action.”
Mule appeared in Miri Sessions Court 1 this morning, where the sentence was handed down. An attached image from the proceedings shows the accused being escorted by authorities in the courtroom.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by Malaysian authorities to regulate online content amid rising concerns over hate speech and misinformation on social platforms. MCMC urged users to promote positive discourse and report violations to maintain national unity.
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