The accused, Chin Chang Swee, 44, Kanu Anil Sah, 29, and San Thay Aung, 24, pleaded guilty after the charge was read to them before magistrate Chia Huey Ting in George Town today.

According to Berita Harian, the trio were jointly accused of sending three packages from their office in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, to Ayer Itam, Penang, using wrapping paper printed with Quranic verses.

According to the charge sheet, the offence took place at a DHL warehouse in Sungai Tiram, Bayan Lepas.

The charge was framed under Section 298 of the Penal Code and read together with Section 34. Section 298 carries a punishment of imprisonment of up to a year, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

The court imposed a fine of RM5,000 on each of them or five months’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid. All three paid the fines.

Earlier, several photos of the packages wrapped in paper printed with Quranic verses went viral on social media.

Previously, Penang’s southwest police chief Kamarul Rizal Jenal said a report was made by a 41-year-old worker of the courier company after inspecting the three packages.

“Concerned that the Quranic verses were being used improperly by irresponsible parties, the complainant changed the wrapping paper before making a police report,” he said.