Blogger charged with 'poking fun' at TNB

A blogger was charged in a sessions court in Petaling Jaya today with posting a parody in his blog, aimed at Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB).

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) accused Irwan Abdul Rahman, 36, of using the Internet to send false comments, with the intention of hurting the feelings of others.

His defence counsel, Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, said this is the first time a blogger is being charged under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for posting a parody or satire in his or her site.

If found guilty, Irwan, who is executive editor of The Malay Mail's lifestyle and entertainment section and uses the blog name Hassan Skodeng, can be fined up to RM50,000 or not more than a year in jail or both.

His posting on March 25 this year, titled "TNB to sue WWF over Earth Hour", prompted the company to file a formal complaint with the MCMC, about a week later on April 2, accusing Irwan of filing an offensive article.

[More to follow]