KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman has claimed trial to a charge of improper use of network facilities over a social media post about former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor eight years ago.
Syed Ahmad Saifullah Hashim, 33, was charged in the Sessions Court here Thursday (July 21) with uploading a post which read "the plane boarded by the PM and his wife on their way home from Perth disappeared from the radar and was found crashed in the South Sumatra Sea. Al-Fatihah” on Facebook under the profile name "Syed Saifullah”.
He was charged with committing the act with intent to offend others between April 2 and 4, 2014, with the posting read at 11.35pm at a premises at Plaza Pekeliling Jalan Kampar, off Jalan Ipoh, Sentul here on April 4 that year.
The charge, under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and punishable under Section 233 (3) of the same law, provides a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year upon conviction.
In addition, the accused can be fined RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.
Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak allowed Syed Ahmad Saifullah bail of RM4,000 with one surety and prohibited him from making any posting on social media pending disposal of the case.
She then set Aug 15 for mention.
DPP Najihah Farhana Che Awang prosecuted, while Syed Ahmad Saifullah was unrepresented. – Bernama
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