Lokman Adam charged with insulting PM, pleads not guilty

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam (pic) was charged in the Sessions Court here with two counts of making and initiating the transmission of offensive communication against the Prime Minister and the government.

Lokman, 49, pleaded not guilty to both the charges, allegedly made on Facebook using the profile name “Lokman Noor Adam Official” with the intention of annoying others.The first charge involved a post against Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, which was allegedly committed at 11pm on Aug 20.

For the second charge against the government, Lokman was alleged to have committed the offence at 10.28pm on Aug 22.

The charges, framed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and punishable under Section 233 (3) of the same law, provide a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, and a fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.

Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak allowed bail of RM8,000 with one surety on each charge and also ordered Lokman not to post any statement on the case on social media. Mention was set for Sept 26.

The DPP was Nadia Mohd Izhar, while Lokman was represented by lawyer Logen Eskander. — Bernama