Man charged over tweets on Johor royalty

JOHOR BARU: A jobless man undergoing psychiatric treatment has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to two charges of making offensive communications against Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and the Johor royal family.

Reymi Abdul Rahim, 43, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in front of judge VM Mabel Sheela.

According to the charge sheets, the accused had knowingly made offensive communications on Twitter against the Johor Sultan and the Johor royal family with the intention of offending others.

The posts were read by a complainant at an office in Kota Southkey, Johor Baru at about noon on Oct 8, 2021.

Both charges were framed under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and can be punished according to Section 233 (3) of the same Act.

The case was prosecuted by deputy public prosecutor S. Thiviya while the accused was represented by lawyers Jihad Syahida Nadia Zakaria and Nurhazneena Zureen Mohamad Hanafiah.

Thiviya asked for the court to set bail at RM20,000 for both charges.

However, Reymi’s lawyers asked for lower bail, saying that their client was suffering from schizophrenia and depression and was undergoing treatment at Hospital Sultan Ismail.

Mabel Sheela set bail at RM4,500 with one surety and set Aug 21 for next mention and the submission of documents.

The accused is also required to report to the nearest police station once a month until the case is settled.

He posted bail.