Farmer charged with making seditious remarks in WhatsApp group

BUTTERWORTH: Last week, a paddy farmer was charged in the Sessions Court here with using the WhatsApp application to make defamatory remarks against His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, last week.

Azman Md Yusof, 46, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him before Judge Noor Aini Yusof on Tuesday (April 30).

According to the charge sheet, Azman is accused of committing the offence in the WhatsApp group’ Khariah Pmtg Sungai Dua’ at 8.45pm on April 25 at a house in Permatang Sungai Dua, Kepala Batas here.

The charge is framed under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or a maximum imprisonment of three years or both if convicted.

At the proceedings, lawyer Mohd Izad Buqhary Mohd Kamri, who represented the accused, appealed for RM10,000 bail in one surety offered by state prosecution director Mohd Nordin Ismail to be reduced on the grounds of financial constraints.

“My client has to support his wife and four children, aged four to 16,” he said.

The court allowed bail of RM6,500 in one surety and imposed additional conditions that the WhatsApp group be deactivated immediately and the accused prohibited from making any postings on social media until the disposal of the case.