A Chinese YouTuber was fined RM800 by the magistrates’ court here for trespassing into Parliament, a site gazetted as a protected area.
Magistrate Arunjothy Selvaraju imposed the fine on Li Zhechen after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 5(1) of the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of RM1,000, or two years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
Li was ordered to serve a one-month jail sentence if he fails to pay the fine.
According to the facts of the case, Li had on July 9 entered the Parliament compound to take photos and videos. He was arrested by police officers who were on duty that day.
During mitigation, Li’s lawyer Lee Ewe Kiang offered the court an apology on his client’s behalf.
Deputy public prosecutor Adiba Iman Hassan urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence.
