Malaysia's Appeals Court Affirms RM10,000 Fine for UM Protestor
A three-judge panel upheld the conviction and RM10,000 fine of Wong, who protested a university vice-chancellor's resignation demand during a 2019 convocation.
An appellate panel chaired by Justice Noorin Badaruddin rejected Wong's appeal against his conviction under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentionally insulting a public official during a university ceremony. The court affirmed the High Court's decision to impose a total fine of RM10,000, which Wong has paid, in place of a six-month jail term. The original incident involved Wong holding a placard at a University of Malaya convocation on 14 October 2019, demanding the resignation of vice-chancellor Abdul Rahim Hashim.
The magistrate had dismissed Wong's claim that he had no other means to express his views, and the High Court added a further RM5,000 fine. The appellate judges stressed that while freedom of expression is protected, it must be exercised within the bounds of the law.
Why it matters
The ruling clarifies limits on protest speech in Malaysia, balancing free expression with legal restrictions.
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