A trader was fined RM20,000 today by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for four Facebook posts on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali two years ago.

The complaint against Azhar Mamat, 45, was made by the NGO Jaringan Melayu Malaysia.

Azhar was charged under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 with uploading four derogatory Facebook posts, between July 21 and July 29, 2016.

One of the posts contained a doctored image of Najib in police remand attire.

JMM is said to have noticed Azhar’s posts over a span of four days, and lodged a report with the Communication and Multimedia Commission on Aug 15, 2016.

Subsequent investigations found that Azhar had uploaded the posts, after which his mobile phone, SIM card and SD card were seized.

In mitigation, Azhar's lawyer Adlizan Noor said his client was given a fine as this is his first offence.

"He earns RM3,000 a month and is married with three children. He is also looking after his elderly mother," the lawyer told the court.

Deputy public prosecutor for MCMC Mohd Sophian Zakaria had asked for a deterrent sentence as the Facebook posts could be regarded as offensive.

Sessions judge Zaman Mohd Noor then ordered Azhar to pay a RM5,000 fine for each for the four offences, in default of one month's jail.

Section 233 carries a maximum fine of up to RM50,000, or imprisonment for up to a year, or both, upon conviction.

Azhar managed to pay the amount.