A public university student in Kuala Lumpur has been brought to trial at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court recently, after being accused of throwing insulting remarks towards the Johor Prince, Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim and also the state’s royal family, early last year.
As reported by Harian Metro, the accused, 23-year-old student identified as Ahmad Muazz Ishak, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges read out before Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail.
According to the charge, the accused knowingly came up with and also started posting obscene comments with the intention of offending others using the Twitter application service, under the social media moniker “@muazzishak”. The offence was allegedly committed in Kampung Parit Jamal, Benut, Pontian, on 5th February last year.
The accused was charged under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), and is punishable under Section 233 (3) of the same act. If convicted, he could be fined up to RM50k, spending not more than a year in jail, or both, and a further fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence is continued after conviction.
The case was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Idayu Salim while the student was represented by lawyer Muhd Valantino Ifni Ho Ridzuan. Noor Idayu offered bail of RM20,000 with one surety, apart from imposing additional conditions. He has to surrender his passport, and has to report at the nearest police station.
The lawyer representing the accused had applied for a lower bail to be imposed on the client as the accused was still studying and had not received any scholarship or student loan. According to Muhd Valantino, previously, his client had been bailed RM3,500 for charges involving a different offence. He was charged in the Sessions Court on 28th April last year.
The court then granted the accused bail of RM3,000 with one surety, apart from setting 14th February for re-mentioning of the case.
Sources: Harian Metro, Utusan.
