CYBERJAYA, 21 Okt (Bernama) -- Eleven cases have been taken to court under Section 211 and Section 233 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 involving fines amounting to RM24,500 from last year until now.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said they consisted of six cases of posting comments insulting the Sultan of Perak (eight individuals); sending vulgar/obscene SMS (3); sending obscene e-mail (1) and sending obscene/vulgar comment (1).

He said that in the case of insulting the Sultan of Perak, an individual had pleaded guilty and was fined RM10,000 while five cases (seven individuals) were waiting for trial.

For the obscene/vulgar SMS, vulgar e-mail and vulgar/obscene comment, all the individuals concerned pleaded guilty and the fines imposed ranged from RM1,800 to RM8,500, he told reporters here today.

He said this after attending a briefing and a function to introduce the new Chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Tan Sri Khalid Ramli who was appointed on Oct 16.

Meanwhile, Rais said the MCMC must undertake a study on the cost of acquiring information techcnology services in the country which was said to be costly compared to the cost in neighbouring and other developing countries.