TWO MEN FINED RM20,000 EACH FOR DISRUPTING TELCO NETWORK WITH ILLEGAL DEVICES

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Two men were each fined RM20,000 by the Sessions Court here today for using uncertified communication equipment and apparatus that caused disruptions to a telecommunications company network services.

Judge Suhaila Haron imposed the sentence on e-hailing drivers Dennelson Mawon, 32, and Loke Choo Seong, 35, after they each pleaded guilty to the two charges.

The court also ordered both accused to serve three months in jail, if they fail to pay the fine. They paid the fine.

Dennelson is charged with using a communication equipment, namely a GSM Gateway unit that was not certified under the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000 in a car beside Kajang-Cheras Highway, in front of a shopping mall in Cheras here at 11.20 am, June 20, 2024.

The charge was brought under Regulation 16 (1)(b) of the same Regulations which provides for a maximum fine of RM300,000 or imprisonment for up to three years or both, upon conviction.

Dennelson is also charged with using the same apparatus to cause major electromagnetic interference, disrupting the network services of a telecommunications company in the area.

The offence was charged under Regulation 34(5)(c) of the Communications and Multimedia (Spectrum) Regulations 2000 which provides for a fine of up to RM300,000 or a maximum prison sentence of three years or both.

Meanwhile, Loke was charged with abetting Dennelson for the offences read together with Section 109 of the Penal Code which provides for a similar punishment.

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) prosecuting officer Nadzirah Idris requested a commensurating sentence for both accused taking into account that communication links are an important matter nowadays.

"Both accused used GSM Gateway apparatus which caused major electromagnetic interference causing the quality of Maxis services to be disrupted which caused users to receive 2G signals when in 4G areas, spam messages, calls to be dropped when making calls and users were also unable to surf the internet," he said.

Lawyer Shameera Abdul Hamid, who represented the two men, requested a fine on the grounds that both of her clients have no criminal records and have always cooperated with MCMC.

"The defence also requested that the prison sentence be waived and requested a fine because they are still single and supporting a family," said the lawyer.

-- BERNAMA