68-year-old claims trial to offensive post on Prophet charge

A 68-year-old man today claimed trial at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur to two counts of posting an offensive caricature on Prophet Muhammad and another for uploading the offensive post onto social media.

Wai Foo Sin is the second person to be charged with such an offence after 22-year-old A Taneson, who was produced in court in Shah Alam yesterday.

He was charged under Section 298A(1) of the Penal Code with causing disharmony, disunity or feelings of hatred or ill-will or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity.

Wai is alleged to have committed the offence on Feb 17 using his Facebook account.

He also faces a second charge under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for making the offensive post.

Wai stands to face a maximum five years in jail term on each charge and he can also be fined a maximum of RM50,000 under the Communications and Multimedia Act if convicted.

DPP Muhammad Asyraf Md Kamal said although it was a non-bailable offence, should the court decides to grant bail, the prosecution would suggest an RM30,000 bail.

Wai, who was not represented, applied for the bail to be lowered saying he was suffering from diabetes and was jobless.

Sessions Court judge MM Edwin Paramjothy allowed bail at RM20,000 with one surety and fixed April 5 for mention.  - Mkini