A trader testified in court that he lodged a police report against Papagomo to prevent riots over an allegation that the Malaysian government backed Israel.
Before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today, Hisham Sharudin said he was concerned about the Facebook post by the controversial blogger, whose real name is Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris.
“(The police report was lodged) to prevent fighting and enmity between races.
“I feared riots due to the issue of (the allegation that the government) supported Israel,” said the 41-year-old to a question by deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalam.
The first prosecution witness was testifying during today’s first-day sedition trial against Azri (above) over an alleged video claiming the government backed Israel and Western powers.
“After watching and examining the video, I found that the statements made by Sir Azri or Papagomo or Wan Muhammad Azri was inciting the people to hate the government by saying today’s government is pro-Israel.
“This fact is not true as there were many programmes and actions by the government that clearly spoke out against Israel’s actions, and I find that the government always gave full support to the Palestinian people’s cause.
“The statements are insulting to the government and could jeopardise the government’s efforts to give a consistent stance for the Palestinian people’s cause for an independent homeland,” Hisham testified.
Meanwhile, during cross-examination by Azri’s defence counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, the witness admitted he was a member of PKR, the same political party led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
However, Hisham rubbished the lawyer’s contention that the police report was lodged against Azri for the political party and its president rather than for the sake of the country.
Later on during proceedings presided over by judge Siti Aminah Ghazali, second prosecution witness Halid Hamidi testified that he disagreed with Azri’s online post.
The internet user, who re-shared the accused’s post in November last year, explained that he initially came across the post on his Facebook “wall” and that he discovered the video initially originated from TikTok.
Halid testified that he was slightly dissatisfied with the government when he re-shared the post, explaining that his dissatisfaction was due to the high prices of goods and the difficulty of obtaining basic day-to-day items.
The witness however reiterated his disagreement with the statements in the video that Anwar was pro-Israel and pro-West.
“I re-shared the video only due to my dissatisfaction. I hope the government now can help the people, especially B40 (bottom 40 percent of income earners) such as myself.
“I was very much affected by the rise in prices of basic goods and non-availability of necessary items in the market.
“I work in a village and my earnings are not enough. I feel that the video need not be uploaded to social media because many of the allegations are inaccurate and baseless,” Halid said.
Trial before criminal court judge Siti Aminah Ghazali resumes tomorrow.
On Jan 8, Azri pleaded not guilty to the charge of making seditious remarks via the Facebook post alleging the government to be pro-Israel and pro-Western.
The former Umno Youth executive council member was accused of making seditious remarks on the Facebook page of Halid (Halid Mat Kool).
According to the charge, an individual allegedly saw the online remarks at a condominium in Jalan Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang at 1pm on Nov 8 last year.
Azri faces a maximum three-year jail sentence and fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both. The charge was framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948. - Mkini
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