KUALA LUMPUR: The corn seller who sparked controversy over a racially insensitive signboard recently was charged at the magistrate's court in Sepang today.

Sepang deputy police chief Superintendent Shan Gopal Krishnan, in a statement, said the 64-year-old trader was fined RM400 after he pleaded guilty to the charge made against him.

He was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, with an alternative charge under Section 268 of the same Act.

Section 505(b) of the Penal Code makes it an offence for anyone to publish or circulate any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the state or against public tranquillity.

Also charged was his 52-year-old wife, who is an Indonesian.

His wife was charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not having a valid pass or permit to stay in Malaysia and was sentenced to three months in jail.