Ustaz claims trial at Ipoh Session court for insulting Agong via WhatsApp group chat
IPOH, July 11 — A 62-year-old Ustaz from Kota Baru was charged at the Session Court here today for insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a WhatsApp chat group last year.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before Judge Azizah Ahmad.
Ab Malik Hussain was accused of posting insulting and derogatory remarks against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on his WhatsApp group named “Soal Jawab Tasawuf (Sufi)” despite knowing that it would hurt others.
He was accused of committing the act at Batu 10 Kampung Pulau Padang, Bota Kiri between 8.20pm and 8.23pm on November 22, last year.
The accused was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or jail for up to one year or both upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Saiful Akmal Mod Said proposed bail at RM10,000.
However, Lawyer Mohamad Khazali Yin, who represented the accused, requested the bail to be set at RM6,000 by submitting that his client is the sole breadwinner, who needs to take care of his 58-year-old housewife and two children aged 13 and 10.
“My client’s religious talk is based in Kelantan and he doesn’t have a fixed salary and earns RM200 for each ceramah session. I understand he has an offer to give four to five ceramah in a month,” he said.
Azizah then set bail at RM7,000 with one surety and fixed August 14 for mention.
