Magistrate Aina Azahra Arifin meted out the fine after the accused, Lim Chai Seng, 36, pleaded guilty to criminally intimidating Tiong.

Lim, who can be jailed for six months if he fails to pay the fine, was charged with committing the offence through a phone call at around 1.37pm on Feb 18.

Section 506 of the Penal Code, which deals with criminal intimidation, provides for up to seven years in prison, a fine or both, upon conviction, for death threats.

The charge against Lim was framed under Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation by anonymous communication, which is punishable by an additional jail term of up to two years in prison, if convicted.

During mitigation, Lim’s lawyer Caren Kaur said the accused regretted and apologised for his actions.

Caren sought a lighter sentence for his client, saying he only earned RM1,200 a month as a farm hand.