SEREMBAN, March 17 — E-hailing driver P. Mahendra Bhoopaty pleaded guilty at the Magistrate’s Court today to a charge of uploading a Facebook video containing statements that caused public alarm on February 27, and issued an apology to Muslims.
The 53-year-old entered the plea after the charge was read out before Magistrate Nurul Saqinah Rosli.
According to the charge, he uploaded a video on Facebook containing statements likely to cause public alarm and incite offences against public order.
In the video, he questioned religious sensitivities by comparing a temple and a mosque, asking, “kalau kuil India di bawah jambatan haram, yang ini masjid bawah jambatan flyover macam mana? haram ke halal, cuba terangkan” (If the Indian temple under the bridge is haram, how about this mosque under the flyover? Haram or halal, try to explain).
The offence was committed at Masjid Jamek Dato' Bandar Hj Ahmad Rasah, Kampung Dato Mansor, at 12.30pm on February 27.
Mahendra was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Negeri Sembilan Director of Public Prosecutions Ku Hayati Ku Haron urged the court to impose a proportionate sentence, stressing that the accused's actions could threaten national harmony and that the punishment should serve as a lesson to respect religious sensitivities and places of worship.
Unrepresented, he appealed for a lighter sentence, citing financial difficulties.
Mahendra told the court he was unable to continue driving for Grab due to a damaged car, and that he needed to support his child and elderly father.
The court sentenced him to a fine of RM4,000, with a default of seven months’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
