Fahmi Reza charged with posting offensive Covid-19 content on Twitter account

KUALA LUMPUR: Graphic designer Fahmi Reza has been charged at the Sessions Court for allegedly posting offensive content relating to Covid-19 on his Twitter account.

The 44-year-old - whose full name is Mohd Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin - pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to him before Sessions Court judge Sabariah Othman on Thursday (Feb 10).

According to the charge sheet, Fahmi allegedly posted the offensive content with intention to annoy others on the “Fahmi Reza” or @kuasasiswa Twitter account at 3.02pm on Feb 10, 2021.

The content was then read at the Health Ministry’s corporate communications head office in Putrajaya at 4pm on Feb 11, 2021.

Fahmi was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

He faces a fine of up to RM50,000 or up to one year imprisonment or both and can be fined RM1,000 for each day the offence is continued after conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Najihah Farhana Che Awang offered bail at RM10,000.

Lawyer Rajsurian Pillai, who represented Fahmi, however asked for a lower amount.

“My client earns about RM3,000 monthly and he also needs to support his parents,” Rajsurian said.

The court fixed bail at RM5,000 with one surety. The case is set for mention on March 30.