Blogger ‘Sang Kelembai’ pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today to a charge of making an offensive post about vaccine procurement matters on his Facebook page four years ago.
Abd Zarin Mohd Yasin, 72, as the person being summoned, was charged with creating and initiating the transmission of offensive communications with intent to annoy others via his Facebook account “Zaharin Mohamad Yasin” at 2.03am on Dec 21, 2020.
The post was read at the Health Ministry, Putrajaya at 3pm the following day.
The charge under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 carries a fine of up to RM50,000, a maximum one year’s jail or both, and shall also be liable to a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurilya Ellyna Nor Azmal requested bail of RM10,000 with one surety, along with the additional condition that Zarin is not allowed to make any posts regarding the case throughout the proceedings.
In mitigation, lawyer Abu Bakar Isa Ramat, representing Zarin (above), said his client has chronic diabetes and high blood pressure.
“My client has four children, one of whom is still studying at university. His wife, a homemaker, will need to use their savings to pay the bail,” the lawyer said.
Judge N Priscilla Hemamalini allowed bail at RM7,000 with one surety and set Feb 26 for mention.
- Bernama
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