Azhar Mamat, 45, pleaded guilty to the charges before Sessions Court judge Zaman Mohd Noor today.

For the first three charges, the father of three committed the offence on his Facebook between 10.16pm on July 21 and 8.27pm on July 27, 2016.

The fourth offence was committed at 8.28pm on July 29, 2016.

Facts of the case revealed that the posting on Azhar’s Facebook page was read by a member of Malay right-wing group, Pertubuhan Jaringan Melayu Malaysia, which then filed a complaint with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Those who flout the law for posting hurtful remarks about another person in cyberspace can be fined up to RM50,000, jailed 12 months, or both.

Government lawyer Mohd Sophian Zakaria said the offence was serious and the misuse of social media was a common trend these days.

He said Azhar’s action had tarnished the image of Najib and Apandi, who held public office.

“The accused has shown disrespect to the two,” he said, adding that a deterrent sentence must be imposed to serve as a warning to others.

Lawyer Adlizan Noor, who represented Azhar, said his client was a first-time offender and the breadwinner of the family.

“He earns RM3,000 a month and also has to care for his aged mother,” he said.

Zaman then fined Azhar RM5,000 or one month’s jail on each of the charges.

Azhar paid the fine.