Lokman Adam claims trial to two charges of spreading fake Covid-19 news

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam (pic) has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to two charges of spreading false news about vaccines and the spread of Covid-19.

Lokman, 48, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out to him before judge M. M. Edwin Paramjothy here on Friday (Oct 1).

According to the first and second charge sheets, Lokman was accused of using a Facebook account under the profile name "Lokman Adam" with intention to cause public unrest by spreading false news through a video.

The video linked the spread of Covid-19 to the entry of Indian nationals into the country and also linked the death of a policeman to vaccines.

He allegedly committed the offences at 10.55pm on May 3 and 10.38pm on April 9.

The two videos were seen at the Cyber Crime and Multimedia Investigation Division Office, Commercial Crime Investigation Department, Bukit Aman police headquarters, level 27, Menara KPJ, here at 4.40pm on May 9 and at 8.55pm on April 11.

The charges under Section 4(1) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021 provide a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment up to three years or both, if convicted.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Datin Kalmizah Salleh offered bail at RM30,000 for each of the charges.

She also asked the court to impose an additional condition for the accused to surrender his passport to the court.

"We ask for the court to impose the condition as the Klang Valley will be entering the third phase of the National Recovery Plan and there is possibility that the borders will reopen soon," Kalmizah said.

Lokman's lawyer Logen Eskander however asked for a lower bail amount and said his client's passport should not be impounded as the borders were still closed.

"My client is unemployed and now helping his wife sell satay while supporting their 11 children," Logen said.

The court allowed Lokman bail at RM10,000 for each charge in one surety.

The case is fixed for mention on Nov 25.